Redledgeite is a rare chromium-bearing titanium oxide typically occurring as small, prismatic, brownish-red to black crystals. It is most famously found in association with chromite deposits within serpentinite bodies. Due to its scarcity and distinct localized occurrence, it is highly sought after by mineral collectors specializing in rare species.
Is this redledgeite?
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 redledgeite with a known reference. Redledgeite sits at Mohs 6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow green, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Redledgeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Redledgeite leaves gray white, Hollandite leaves black; luster reads adamantine on Redledgeite and metallic, splendent on Hollandite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Redledgeite leaves gray white, Cryptomelane leaves brownish black; luster reads adamantine on Redledgeite and metallic to dull on Cryptomelane.
Often found alongside redledgeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with redledgeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba(Ti₆Cr₂)O₁₆
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 3.72 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray white
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Opaque, transparent on thin edges or in fibrous crystals
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- On chrome ore from a gold deposit
Where rockhounds find redledgeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Red Ledge mine, Washington district, Nevada Co., California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: On chrome ore from a gold deposit. If you start seeing chromite, chromian clinochlore, knorringite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find redledgeite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
