Different morphologically varied alpha-Fe2O3 nanocrystals have been successfully synthesized by a solvothermal route. X-ray diffraction patterns, transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy have been employed for structural and morphological characterization. Various unique shapes of the well crystalline alpha-Fe2O3 nanocrystals on their optical absorption behaviour has been observed and the absorptions were analyzed considering all the possible electronic transitions in such 3d5 systems. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.