Liuite is a rare iron titanium oxide. It occurs at the rim of a transformed ilmenite-ülvospinel grain in a shock-melt pocket in a Martian meteorite. It is associated with feiite and tschaunerite. It was first described from material found in India (meteorite).

Hardness

6-7

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareTungsten Alloy family

Liuite

Hardness: 6-7
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this liuite?

4-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch liuite with a known reference. Liuite sits at Mohs 6-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: silver-white, gray.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: microscopic grains.

Often confused with

Liuite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside liuite

Minerals reported to co-occur with liuite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: FeTiO₃
Mohs hardness: 6-7
Density: 15.0-16.0 g/cm³
Colors: Silver-white Gray
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Microscopic grains
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: At the rim of a transformed ilmenite-ülvospinel grain in a shock-melt pocket in a Martian meteorite

Where rockhounds find liuite

Classic worldwide localities

Material found in India (meteorite)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: At the rim of a transformed ilmenite-ülvospinel grain in a shock-melt pocket in a Martian meteorite. If you start seeing feiite, tschaunerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify liuite?+

Mohs hardness is 6-7. Luster: metallic. Common colors include silver-white, gray.

Where is liuite found?+

Notable localities include Material found in India (meteorite).

What rocks look like liuite?+

Liuite is most often confused with Tungsten. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with liuite?+

Liuite commonly co-occurs with Feiite, Tschaunerite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does liuite form in?+

Where it forms: At the rim of a transformed ilmenite-ülvospinel grain in a shock-melt pocket in a Martian meteorite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is liuite used for?+

Liuite is used in collector.

Find liuite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.