Editing Hematite (section)

== Pigment ==
Hematite has been sourced to make pigments since earlier origins of human pictorial depictions, such as on cave linings and other surfaces, and has been employed continually in artwork through the eras. In Roman times, the pigment obtained by finely grinding hematite was known as ''sil atticum''. Other names for the mineral when used in painting include ''colcotar'' and ''caput mortuum''. In Spanish, it is called ''almagre'' or ''almagra'', from the Arabic ''al-maghrah'', red earth, which passed into English and Portuguese. Other ancient names for the pigment include ''ochra hispanica'', ''sil atticum antiquorum'', and ''Spanish brown''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Calvo Rebollar |first=Miguel |title=Minerales y Minas de España. Vol. 4. Óxidos e hidróxidos. |date=2009 |publisher=Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas de Madrid. Fundación Gómez Pardo. |isbn=978-84-95063-99-1 |location=Madrid, Spain |language=es |trans-title=Minerals and mines of Spain Vol 4. Oxides and Hidroxides}}</ref> It forms the basis for red, purple, and brown iron-oxide pigments, as well as being an important component of ochre, sienna, and umber pigments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colors from the Earth: Violet Hematite |url=https://www.naturalpigments.com/artist-materials/violet-color-hematite-earth-pigments |access-date=2023-09-07 |website=www.naturalpigments.com |language=en}}</ref> The main producer of hematite for the pigment industry is India, followed distantly by Spain.