Because it is found EVERYWHERE, in one form or another, at first I quickly got tired of constantly having to settle on Hematite as the identification of my newly found mineral specimens. I wanted it to be something else,...something different for a change.
But as time goes on you learn to give credit where credit is due.

I recently read an article about Hematite by Steve Voynick in the current issue of "Rock and Gem". and,  as usual, learned a lot and it is well worth reading. I'm going to ad-lib a few points he made in the article.

Hematite has two basic forms; crystalline and particulate. The crystalline form is the shiny black form that we get tired of finding all the time and wish it could be something else. And the particulate form is basically red, like the red hematite included quartz crystals we see occasionally.
In his article,  Mr. Voynick, describes a basic scale for the different colors in quartz and chalcedony caused by particulate hematite.

Particle size of less than 0.1 micron are orange. Like the orange to light tan color we see in many Carnelian agates, etc.
0.1-0.5 micron particles are a rich red color.
Particles 1-1.5 microns appear purple, like some fine grained Specularite, and particles 1.5 microns and larger start to take on the shiny black reflection of crystalline Hematite.

I have simplified this scale but thought it was worth posting since we often wonder what is causing the color in quartz and chalcedony.
I highly suggest you read the whole article in the January/February 2024 Rock and Gem magazine.

I want one, too!

Shoot, Buchshot, those are nice! I am assuming they are natural and that's the way you found them?

Okay, yeah, they do look like cabs. I was thinking they were creek tumbled. Stunners!

Yep !!  Sounds Good