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.

Hardness

5-6

Mohs

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareSpinel Supergroup family

Vestaite

Hardness: 5-6
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this vestaite?

2-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch vestaite with a known reference. Vestaite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. 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: (TiFe)Ti₃O₉
Mohs hardness: 5-6
Density: 4.86 g/cm³
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Anhedral to subhedral grains
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Scientific research
Host rock: In two titanium-rich, shock melt pockets (20-30 mm in size), which are enclosed by former plagioclase (now maskelynite, plagioclase, and tissintite), augite and ilmenite in a basaltic eucrite meteorite

Where rockhounds find vestaite

Classic worldwide localities

Vesta asteroid
Meteorites

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In two titanium-rich, shock melt pockets (20-30 mm in size), which are enclosed by former plagioclase (now maskelynite, plagioclase, and tissintite), augite and ilmenite in a basaltic eucrite meteorite. If you start seeing corundum, ilmenite, al-ti-rich pyroxene in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify vestaite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-6.

Where is vestaite found?+

Notable localities include Vesta asteroid; Meteorites.

What rocks look like vestaite?+

Vestaite is most often confused with Magnetite, Ilmenite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with vestaite?+

Vestaite commonly co-occurs with Corundum, Ilmenite, Al-Ti-rich pyroxene. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does vestaite form in?+

Where it forms: In two titanium-rich, shock melt pockets (20-30 mm in size), which are enclosed by former plagioclase (now maskelynite, plagioclase, and tissintite), augite and ilmenite in a basaltic eucrite meteorite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is vestaite used for?+

Vestaite is used in scientific research.

Find vestaite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.