Loparite is a rare titanium-niobium oxide typically found as dark, pseudo-cubic crystals within alkaline pegmatites. It is highly valued by collectors for its distinctive twinning and complex chemical composition, which often includes significant rare earth elements.
Is this loparite?
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 loparite with a known reference. Loparite sits at Mohs 5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: pseudo-cubic crystals, penetration twins.
Often confused with
Loparite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Loparite leaves brown, Perovskite leaves white to grayish white; luster reads metallic on Loparite and adamantine to metallic; may be dull on Perovskite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Loparite and vitreous to resinous on Pyrochlore.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Loparite leaves brown, Magnetite leaves black.
Often found alongside loparite
Minerals reported to co-occur with loparite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na₀.₅Ce₀.₅)TiO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 4.7-4.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Pseudo-cubic crystals, penetration twins
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Source of rare earth elements
- Host rock
- alkaline igneous rocks
Where rockhounds find loparite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Lovozero Massif, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: alkaline igneous rocks. If you start seeing nepheline, aegirine, eudialyte in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: pseudo-cubic crystals, penetration twins. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify loparite?+
Where is loparite found?+
Is loparite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like loparite?+
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Find loparite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
