Manaccanite is an older synonym for ilmenite, named after its type locality in Manaccan, Cornwall. It is a major ore of titanium, typically occurring as black, heavy, submetallic masses or crystals within igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Is this manaccanite?
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 manaccanite with a known reference. Manaccanite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Manaccanite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Manaccanite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, iron-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Manaccanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Manaccanite leaves black, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads submetallic on Manaccanite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
How to tell apart: Luster reads submetallic on Manaccanite and metallic on Magnetite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Manaccanite leaves black, Chromite leaves dark brown.
Often found alongside manaccanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with manaccanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeTiO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.7-4.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Industrial, Collector
- Host rock
- Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $5-50 for typical specimens
Where rockhounds find manaccanite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Manaccan, Cornwall, UK
- Norway
- Quebec, Canada
- Russia
- Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in igneous rocks country, the host setting where manaccanite typically forms. If you start seeing magnetite, hematite, rutile in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular 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 North Carolina. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find manaccanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
