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, so Geikielite leaves brown, Manaccanite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, so 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, 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.
