The Sinoper of the Ancient World Hematite pigment Hematite is native iron oxide earth and the principle coloring agent in such as red ochres as Indian Red, Venetian Red, etc. These pigments are basically hematite associated with varying proportions of other minerals such as clay, chalk and silica. They differ from yellow and brown ochres by not containing water. In other words, the iron to which they owe their color is ferric oxide not hydrated ferric oxide as found in yellow ochre