Kleberite is an iron-titanium oxide mineral typically formed by the chemical weathering and alteration of ilmenite in heavy mineral sand deposits. It is rarely found in distinct crystals and is most often identified as a constituent of the leucoxene mineral series.
Is this kleberite?
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 kleberite with a known reference. Kleberite 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. Kleberite leaves a brownish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kleberite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Kleberite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Kleberite leaves brownish, Manaccanite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Kleberite leaves brownish, Pseudorutile leaves yellowish-brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Kleberite leaves brownish, Rutile leaves pale brown to yellow; luster reads submetallic on Kleberite and metallic to adamantine on Rutile.
Often found alongside kleberite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kleberite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe³⁺Ti₃O₇(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.1-4.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- Brownish
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Heavy Mineral Sands
- Typical price
- rarely available on the collector market
Where rockhounds find kleberite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kleber mine, Germany
- various heavy mineral sands deposits worldwide
Field-hunting tip
Look in heavy mineral sands country — that is the host setting where kleberite typically forms. If you start seeing ilmenite, rutile, leucoxene in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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How much is kleberite worth?+
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Find kleberite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
