Loveringite is a rare titanium-rich oxide mineral belonging to the crichtonite group, typically found in layered igneous complexes. It usually occurs as microscopic dark, opaque grains or small crystals embedded within chromite-rich mafic rocks, making it a challenging target for field collectors.
Is this loveringite?
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 loveringite with a known reference. Loveringite sits at Mohs 6-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Loveringite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Loveringite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular to equant crystals, often found as inclusions.
Often confused with
Loveringite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Loveringite and submetallic on Manaccanite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Loveringite leaves black, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads metallic on Loveringite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
Often found alongside loveringite
Minerals reported to co-occur with loveringite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ca,Ce)(Ti,Fe,Cr,Mg)₂₁O₃₈
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Density
- 4.7-4.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to Equant Crystals, Often Found as Inclusions
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Layered Mafic-ultramafic Igneous Intrusions
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find loveringite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jimberlana Intrusion, Western Australia
- Marsjarvi, Finland
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in layered mafic-ultramafic igneous intrusions country — that is the host setting where loveringite typically forms. If you start seeing chromite, braggite, pyroxene in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular to equant crystals, often found as inclusions habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find loveringite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
