Ilmenite

Ilmenite specimens for sale

4 for sale ยท $385โ€“$2,400 USD

60 in the gallery

Ilmenite is an iron titanium oxide mineral with the chemical formula FeTiO3. It forms in igneous rocks as well as sedimentary environments, typically presenting a black to steel-gray color and a metallic to sub-metallic lustre. The mineral commonly occurs as granular grains and tabular or rhombohedral crystals, often forming in association with magnetite and hematite. In hand specimens it is usually opaque, and when fresh it shows a muted, glassy surface that can tarnish to a duller sheen with exposure.

Formula
Fe2+TiO3
Rarity
Common
Stability
Stable
Collector interest
Moderate Interest
Classification notes
Oxide; titanium-iron oxide (ilmenite-hematite series)

Buy Ilmenite specimens

View all 4

Where Ilmenite is found

About Ilmenite

Some of the most notable specimens come from manganese- and titanium-rich ultramafic and igneous rocks worldwide, including classic localities in Morocco, Namibia, Norway, Canada, and Pakistan. These deposits yield well-formed, elongated crystals and well-preserved crystal faces that are prized by collectors for their size and clarity, as well as for the contrast against lighter gangue minerals. The simplicity of its composition belies its geological importance as a primary titanium ore and its role in mineralogical studies of magmatic differentiation.