Vestaite is a rare titanium-rich oxide mineral identified primarily in HED (howardite-eucrite-diogenite) meteorites originating from the asteroid Vesta. It typically occurs as small grains associated with pyroxene and plagioclase in basaltic or igneous meteoritic compositions.
Is this vestaite?
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 vestaite with a known reference. Vestaite 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. Vestaite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Vestaite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains.
Often confused with
Vestaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside vestaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vestaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- TiFe₂O₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.86 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral to Subhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Achondrite Meteorites
- Typical price
- not applicable to commercial collector market
Where rockhounds find vestaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Vesta asteroid
- meteorites
Field-hunting tip
Look in achondrite meteorites country — that is the host setting where vestaite typically forms. If you start seeing pyroxene, plagioclase, olivine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral to subhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify vestaite?+
Where is vestaite found?+
How much is vestaite worth?+
What rocks look like vestaite?+
What minerals are found with vestaite?+
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What is vestaite used for?+
Find vestaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
