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Ilmenite
Ilmenite is oxide (iron titanium), FeTiO₃. In the hand, it rates 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, and it runs iron black and steel gray. Black metallic tabular mineral, magnetite's non-magnetic-looking twin that only weakly nudges a magnet and streaks darker than chromite.
The geology.
Ilmenite carries the formula FeTiO₃. It belongs to the trigonal system. It is classified as oxide (iron titanium).
It sits at 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale. The surface reads metallic to submetallic. Light behaviour is opaque. Specific gravity runs 4.5 to 5.0. The streak is black to brownish red. It breaks with no cleavage; conchoidal fracture.
Black metallic tabular mineral, magnetite's non-magnetic-looking twin that only weakly nudges a magnet and streaks darker than chromite.
You will most often meet it as tabular crystals, massive ore, black beach sand or rosettes with quartz.
The origins.
Mafic intrusions and beach sands: Norway, India and Australia (sand ores), Quebec (Canada), Ilmen Mountains (Russia, namesake).
On value, the database notes: inexpensive ore; sharp crystals with quartz are collector pieces.
Traditional associations.
In energy work traditions, ilmenite has little established lore; some lump it with hematite's grounding themes.
People buy on this language, so it belongs on the page. It belongs under the facts, though, not over them.
Spotting the real thing.
Black metallic tabular mineral, magnetite's non-magnetic-looking twin that only weakly nudges a magnet and streaks darker than chromite.
| Looks like | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Magnetite | Magnetite snaps strongly to magnets and forms octahedra; ilmenite responds feebly and forms flat tablets |
| Hematite | Hematite streaks clearly red-brown; ilmenite's streak is black to faintly reddish |
| Chromite | Chromite streaks brown and lives in serpentinite; lab tests settle hard cases |
At-home tests.
You can run every one of these at a kitchen table. Good light matters more than gear when you are looking at ilmenite.
| Test | What you should see |
|---|---|
| Magnet check | Weak magnetic response |
| By eye | Black streak (sometimes brown-tinged) |
| By eye | Tabular crystal habit; heavy |
Anything that scratches, burns or dissolves the piece is a lab job. Get it appraised rather than testing it apart.
Care & handling.
At 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale it handles careful wear but scratches against quartz and dust. Store it separately and take rings off before rough work.
It breaks with no cleavage; conchoidal fracture, which is worth knowing before you set it or drop it.
Warm water and a soft cloth clean almost everything. Ultrasonic tanks, steamers and household cleaners are where pieces get ruined.
A deeper look.
Extended detail on composition, sourcing, authentication and market value.
The physical record
The formula on record is FeTiO₃. Crystal system: Trigonal. Specific gravity: 4.5 to 5.0. Streak: Black to brownish red. Cleavage and fracture: No cleavage; conchoidal fracture.
How it reaches the market
Mafic intrusions and beach sands: Norway, India and Australia (sand ores), Quebec (Canada), Ilmen Mountains (Russia, namesake).
What it gets confused with
Magnetite: Magnetite snaps strongly to magnets and forms octahedra; ilmenite responds feebly and forms flat tablets. Hematite: Hematite streaks clearly red-brown; ilmenite's streak is black to faintly reddish. Chromite: Chromite streaks brown and lives in serpentinite; lab tests settle hard cases.
What it is worth
Inexpensive ore; sharp crystals with quartz are collector pieces.
One more thing
Ilmenite is why white paint is white, most of the world's titanium dioxide pigment starts as this black sand.
An education-first guide.
No product links here. We do not sell ilmenite, and a guide that only covers our own shelves would not be much of a guide.
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