Ilmenite is an important titanium-iron oxide mineral typically found in igneous rocks and beach sands. Collectors often look for its characteristic black metallic luster and sub-conchoidal fracture, and it can be distinguished from similar-looking magnetite by its weak to non-existent magnetic response.
Is this ilmenite?
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 ilmenite with a known reference. Ilmenite 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. Streak: black to reddish brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic to submetallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, iron-black, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive, tabular.
Often confused with
Ilmenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ilmenite leaves black to reddish brown, Hematite leaves cherry-red or reddish brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ilmenite leaves black to reddish brown, Chromite leaves brown.
Often found alongside ilmenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ilmenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeTiO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.72 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black to reddish brown
- Luster
- Metallic to submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, tabular
- Cleavage
- {0001} and {1011}, partings
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Industrial, Collector
- Host rock
- A common accessory mineral disseminated in igneous rocks, as granites, gabbros, and kimberlites; in granite pegmatites, carbonatites, and high-grade metamorphic rocks
Where rockhounds find ilmenite
10 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Quincy, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts, USA
- Litchfield, Litchfield Co., Connecticut, USA
- Lake Sanford area, Essex Co., New York, USA
- Vishnevy-Il’men Mountains, Southern Ural Mountains, Russia
- Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula
- Tellnes and Snarum, Norway
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A common accessory mineral disseminated in igneous rocks, as granites, gabbros, and kimberlites; in granite pegmatites, carbonatites, and high-grade metamorphic rocks. If you start seeing magnetite, hematite, rutile in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Florida, Utah, Vermont. Start trip planning there.
More ilmenite photos
Common questions
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Find ilmenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
