Lodestone is a naturally magnetized variety of magnetite that exhibits strong permanent magnetism. It is easily identified by its ability to attract iron filings or small steel objects, a property that historically led to its use in the invention of the compass. Collectors typically find it in massive, granular forms where the magnetic alignment of the iron atoms is concentrated.
Is this lodestone?
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 lodestone with a known reference. Lodestone sits at Mohs 5.5-6.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lodestone leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lodestone typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, iron-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: isometric. Typical habit: octahedral, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Lodestone vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Lodestone leaves black, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads metallic on Lodestone and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Lodestone and submetallic on Manaccanite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Lodestone leaves black, Franklinite leaves reddish-brown.
Often found alongside lodestone
Minerals reported to co-occur with lodestone. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe₃O₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6.5
- Density
- 5.1-5.2 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Isometric
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Study, Educational
- Host rock
- Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- $10-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find lodestone
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- USA
- Sweden
- South Africa
- Russia
- Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in igneous and metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where lodestone typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, pyrite, garnet in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a octahedral, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Utah — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find lodestone on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
