Geikielite is a rare magnesium titanium oxide mineral that often forms as dark, submetallic tabular crystals. It is most commonly found as water-worn pebbles in gem gravels, particularly in Sri Lanka, or as accessory minerals in contact-metamorphosed limestones.
Is this geikielite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch geikielite with a known reference. Geikielite sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Geikielite leaves a brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Geikielite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, brownish-red, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, grains, or pebbles.
Often confused with
Geikielite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Geikielite leaves brown, Manaccanite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Geikielite leaves brown, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads submetallic on Geikielite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Geikielite leaves brown, Pyrophanite leaves yellowish-orange.
Often found alongside geikielite
Minerals reported to co-occur with geikielite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MgTiO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 3.98-4.04 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Grains, Or Pebbles
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Limestones and Kimberlites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find geikielite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sri Lanka
- Canada
- Italy
- Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed limestones and kimberlites country — that is the host setting where geikielite typically forms. If you start seeing spinel, calcite, forsterite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, grains, or pebbles habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify geikielite?+
Where is geikielite found?+
How much is geikielite worth?+
What rocks look like geikielite?+
What minerals are found with geikielite?+
What kind of rock does geikielite form in?+
What is geikielite used for?+
Find geikielite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
