Titanowodginite is an extremely rare member of the wodginite group, characterized by high titanium content. It is typically found in complex granite pegmatites and is primarily of interest to systematic mineral collectors due to its scarcity.
Is this titanowodginite?
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 titanowodginite with a known reference. Titanowodginite sits at Mohs 5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: dark brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: euhedral crystals.
Often confused with
Titanowodginite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Titanowodginite leaves dark brown, Wodginite leaves brown; luster reads vitreous on Titanowodginite and submetallic on Wodginite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Titanowodginite leaves dark brown, Columbite-Tantalite leaves black; luster reads vitreous on Titanowodginite and submetallic on Columbite-Tantalite.
Often found alongside titanowodginite
Minerals reported to co-occur with titanowodginite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺TiTa₂O₈
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 6.86 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Dark brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Euhedral crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a complex zoned granite pegmatite (Tanco pegmatite, Canada)
Where rockhounds find titanowodginite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tanco pegmatite, Bernic Lake, Manitoba, Canada
- San Piero in Campo, Elba, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a complex zoned granite pegmatite (Tanco pegmatite, Canada). If you start seeing microlite, manganocolumbite, albite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: euhedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify titanowodginite?+
Where is titanowodginite found?+
What rocks look like titanowodginite?+
What minerals are found with titanowodginite?+
What kind of rock does titanowodginite form in?+
What is titanowodginite used for?+
Find titanowodginite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
