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. Ilmenite leaves a black to brownish-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ilmenite typically shows a metallic to sub-metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, iron-black, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Ilmenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Ilmenite leaves black to brownish-black, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads metallic to sub-metallic on Ilmenite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Ilmenite leaves black to brownish-black, Magnetite leaves black; luster reads metallic to sub-metallic on Ilmenite and metallic on Magnetite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Ilmenite leaves black to brownish-black, Chromite leaves dark brown; luster reads metallic to sub-metallic on Ilmenite and submetallic on Chromite.
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
- 4.7-4.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black to Brownish-black
- Luster
- Metallic to Sub-metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Industrial, Collector
- Host rock
- Igneous Rocks, Pegmatites, Metamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- $5-30 for standard hand specimens
Where rockhounds find ilmenite
10 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Norway
- Canada
- Russia
- China
- South Africa
- USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in igneous rocks, pegmatites, metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where ilmenite typically forms. If you start seeing magnetite, hematite, rutile in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so 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.
Common questions
How do you identify ilmenite?+
Where is ilmenite found?+
Can I find ilmenite in the United States?+
How much is ilmenite worth?+
What rocks look like ilmenite?+
What minerals are found with ilmenite?+
What kind of rock does ilmenite form in?+
What is ilmenite used for?+
Find ilmenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
