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, so 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, so 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, so 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, 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
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Find ilmenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
