Magnetite is a widespread iron oxide mineral easily identified by its strong magnetic properties. It typically occurs as well-defined octahedral crystals or massive aggregates in igneous and metamorphic environments, and is a primary ore of iron.
Is this magnetite?
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 magnetite with a known reference. Magnetite 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. Magnetite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Magnetite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, iron-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Magnetite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Magnetite leaves black, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads metallic on Magnetite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Magnetite leaves black, Franklinite leaves reddish-brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Magnetite leaves black, Chromite leaves dark brown; luster reads metallic on Magnetite and submetallic on Chromite.
Often found alongside magnetite
Minerals reported to co-occur with magnetite. 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
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Industrial, Ore Mineral
- Host rock
- Igneous, Metamorphic, And Sedimentary Rocks
- Typical price
- $5-50 for small specimens, higher for large, well-formed crystals
Where rockhounds find magnetite
67 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Kiruna, Sweden
- Magnet Cove, Arkansas, USA
- Cerro de Mercado, Mexico
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
U.S. states with magnetite
Each link opens a state-specific list of mapped rockhounding spots that produce magnetite.
Field-hunting tip
Look in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks country — that is the host setting where magnetite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, pyrite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a octahedral crystals, 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, North Carolina, Pennsylvania — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify magnetite?+
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Find magnetite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
