Srilankite is an extremely rare oxide mineral initially identified from alluvial gem gravels in Sri Lanka. It typically occurs as small, dark, submetallic grains that are often mistaken for rutile or baddeleyite without analytical testing.
Is this srilankite?
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 srilankite with a known reference. Srilankite 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: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: submetallic to adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: inclusions.
Often confused with
Srilankite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Srilankite leaves black, Rutile leaves pale brown, yellowish brown; gray, greenish black with high nb–ta; luster reads submetallic to adamantine on Srilankite and adamantine to submetallic on Rutile.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Srilankite leaves black, Baddeleyite leaves white to brownish white; luster reads submetallic to adamantine on Srilankite and greasy to vitreous; nearly submetallic in black crystals on Baddeleyite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Srilankite leaves black, Brookite leaves white to grayish white or yellowish white; luster reads submetallic to adamantine on Srilankite and metallic adamantine to submetallic on Brookite.
Often found alongside srilankite
Minerals reported to co-occur with srilankite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- TiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- ~6.5
- Density
- 4.765 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Submetallic to adamantine
- Transparency
- Opaque, translucent in thin fragments
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Inclusions
- Cleavage
- One direction, poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In pebbles found in concentrates from a placer gemstone mine
Where rockhounds find srilankite
Classic worldwide localities
- Rakwana, Sri Lanka
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In pebbles found in concentrates from a placer gemstone mine. If you start seeing zirconolite, baddeleyite, geikielite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify srilankite?+
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Is srilankite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like srilankite?+
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Find srilankite on the map
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