Macedonite is a rare lead titanium oxide mineral found in hydrothermal deposits. It typically forms opaque, submetallic pseudocubic crystals that are visually similar to other dark, metallic-lustered minerals in the perovskite group.
Is this macedonite?
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 macedonite with a known reference. Macedonite sits at Mohs 5.5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellow gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic.
Often confused with
Macedonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Macedonite leaves yellow gray, Perovskite leaves white to grayish white; luster reads vitreous on Macedonite and adamantine to metallic; may be dull on Perovskite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Macedonite leaves yellow gray, Ilmenite leaves black to reddish brown; luster reads vitreous on Macedonite and metallic to submetallic on Ilmenite.
Often found alongside macedonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with macedonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbTiO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 7.82 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow gray
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As a rare accessory mineral in microcline-quartz syenite pegmatite veins cutting pyroxene amphibole schist (Crni Kamen, Macedonia)
Where rockhounds find macedonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Crni Kamen, near Prilep, Macedonia
- Långban and Jakobsberg, Värmland, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As a rare accessory mineral in microcline-quartz syenite pegmatite veins cutting pyroxene amphibole schist (Crni Kamen, Macedonia). If you start seeing microcline, quartz, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify macedonite?+
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Is macedonite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like macedonite?+
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Find macedonite on the map
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