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, 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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Find vestaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
