Do Hematite beads rust or corrode when exposed to air or salt water?

Question

Do Hematite beads rust or corrode when exposed to air or salt water?

Answer 1

actually, the answer is probably yes.  What we call "rust" is a hydrated form of iron oxide (hydrated means its got water in its structure).  Hematite actually is iron oxide.  So if you add water to iron oxide, and the hydrated form of iron oxide is the most stable state, the hematite will form hydrated iron oxide, which is rust.  i doubt seriously that beads are hematite's natural state :) so whatever was done to the hematite to make it a bead will probably undo itself over time.

oh, and hematite isn't a rock, it's a mineral :)

Answer 2

No. Hematite is a rock. Rocks don't rust.  lol