[Aztlan] Aztlan Digest, Vol 26, Issue 29 Ocher

[rod44 at comcast.net]

Ok... you guys can call a fish "yellow chickens" all you want but Hematite is only and exclusively the hexagonal crystallization of Iron oxide Fe2O3, which is anywhere from black to silvery gray and will always, ALWAYS, streak cherry red .   The hydrated alteration of hematite (or other iron ores) to non-crystalline amorphous masses (which may retain the gross shape of the original) is "Limonite" which will always, ALWAYS, streak ocher. (never cherry red) Ochre is a COLOR, not a material.  In addition to different color, they have different structure, different chemistry and different hardness... so why use the same name for two totally different things which by the way have clear scientific definitions.
To use WRONG terms "in the vernacular" or "ingrained in the literature" is to confuse things on purpose... enough said.
JR