Ilmenite - image 1

Ilmenite

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Ilmenite is a common iron titanium oxide mineral, but is extremely rare in euhedral crystal form, and even rarer in larger, display-worthy crystals. This wonderful individual matrixless crystal is from somewhere you might not expect - Paprok, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan. Better known for gem pegmatites, the region also hosts other types of mineral deposit, and the pegmatites also sometimes include Ilmenite, Cassiterite and Columbite Group species. Not only is this crystal large - at 4 cm across - but it presents a wonderful shape, as a flat, tabular, platy crystal with bevelled edges. Its main faces are rhombic in form, from its trigonal crystal system, but it is remarkably 'flattened' in form compared with most large Ilmenite crystals seen from other classic occurrences. It displays a fine deep grey colour with a resinous to submetallic lustre. It is mounted on an acryllic base for display and looks wonderful.

Product details

SpeciesIlmenite
SizeMiniature
Dimensions3.4 x 4.0 x 0.8 cm
Added on05/24/2025
Current owner
Unknown Owner
Acquired
Jul 2026
Price paid
$4,500.00
Previous owners
DateCollectorAcquisition price
—Crystal ClassicsNot disclosed

Learn more

Ilmenite
Mineral guide
Learn about Ilmenite
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Ilmenite
Regional guide
Ilmenite from Paprok
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Locality guide
Paprok
Paprok, Afghanistan - a premier gem pegmatite locality known for color-zoned elbaite tourmalines and a wealth of rare minerals, prized by collectors worldwide.