Hemloite is an extremely rare oxide mineral known primarily from its type locality at the Hemlo gold deposit in Ontario, Canada. It typically occurs as minute, opaque, metallic grains associated with hematite and other titanium-bearing minerals in metamorphosed rocks. Due to its scarcity and microscopic nature, it is highly sought after by specialized mineral collectors and professional researchers.
Is this hemloite?
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 hemloite with a known reference. Hemloite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hemloite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hemloite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains.
Often confused with
Hemloite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Hemloite leaves black, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads metallic on Hemloite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Hemloite and submetallic on Manaccanite.
Often found alongside hemloite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hemloite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ti,Fe,V,Al)₂O₃
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 5.34 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral to Subhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Gold-bearing Metamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per micro-mount specimen
Where rockhounds find hemloite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hemlo Gold Mine, Ontario, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in gold-bearing metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where hemloite typically forms. If you start seeing hematite, rutile, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral to subhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find hemloite on the map
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