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 7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: iron-gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic to submetallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: acicular, anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Loveringite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Loveringite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7.5 vs. 5-6); streak differs, so Loveringite leaves iron-gray, Ilmenite leaves black to reddish brown.
How to tell apart: Loveringite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7.5 vs. 5-6); streak differs, so Loveringite leaves iron-gray, Hematite leaves cherry-red or reddish brown.
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,La)(Zr,Fe)(Mg,Fe)₂(Ti,Fe,Cr,Al)₁₈O₃₈
- Mohs hardness
- 7.5
- Density
- 4.41 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Iron-gray
- Luster
- Metallic to submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, anhedral grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A late-stage mineral from residual intercumulus magma in the pyroxene, olivine-chromite, or plagioclase-rich layers of mafic intrusions
Where rockhounds find loveringite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jimberlana intrusion, near Norseman, Western Australia
- St. Christophe and La Grave, near Bourg d’Oisans, Isère, France
- Lohning quarry, Rayris Valley, Austria
- Koitelainen intrusion, Lappland, Finland
- Western Laouni massif, Hoggar Mountains, Algeria
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A late-stage mineral from residual intercumulus magma in the pyroxene, olivine-chromite, or plagioclase-rich layers of mafic intrusions. If you start seeing quartz, potassium feldspar, phlogopite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify loveringite?+
Where is loveringite found?+
What rocks look like loveringite?+
What minerals are found with loveringite?+
What kind of rock does loveringite form in?+
What is loveringite used for?+
Find loveringite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
