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Ilmenite

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Martin Marietta Quarry (11th Street Quarry), Hickory, Catawba Co., North Carolina, USA
© Keith Wood

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Formula:
Fe
2+
 
TiO
 
3
System:TrigonalColour:Iron black or black
Lustre:Metallic, Sub-MetallicHardness:5 - 6
Name:Named after its type locality in the Ilmen Mountains, Russia.


Ilmenite Group. Geikielite-Ilmenite Series, Ilmenite-Pyrophanite Series. The iron analogue of Geikielite, Pyrophanite, and Ecandrewsite.

May be confused with minerals of the Crichtonite Group.

Classification of Ilmenite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/C.05-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.CB.05

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
C : Metal: Oxygen = 2: 3,3: 5, and similar
B : With medium-sized cations
Dana 8th edition ID:4.3.5.1

4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
3 : A2X3
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.9.15

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
9 : Oxides of Ti
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Type Occurrence of Ilmenite

Type Locality:Ilmen Natural Reserve, Ilmen Mts, Chelyabinsk Oblast', Southern Urals, Urals Region, Russia
Year of Discovery:1827

Occurrences of Ilmenite

Geological Setting:Common accessory mineral in igneous rocks. Also occurs in placer deposits.

Physical Properties of Ilmenite

Lustre:Metallic, Sub-Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Iron black or black
Streak:Black to reddish brown
Hardness (Mohs):5 - 6
Hardness (Vickers):VHN100=566 - 698 kg/mm2
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:None Observed
Parting:On {0001}, {1011} due to twinning (?).
Fracture:Conchoidal, Sub-Conchoidal
Density (measured):4.68 - 4.76 g/cm3
Density (calculated):4.789 g/cm3

Crystallography of Ilmenite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Class (H-M):3 - Rhombohedral
Space Group:R3
Cell Parameters:a = 5.08854(7) Å, c = 14.0924(3) Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 2.769
Unit Cell Volume:V 316.01 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:6
Morphology:Commonly thick tabular {0001}. Sometimes in thin laminae; also acute rhombohedral. Compact massive; as embedded grains.
Twinning:1. On {0001}; 2. On {1011}, lamellar.
Crystal Atlas:
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Ilmenite no.1 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Ilmenite no.2 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Ilmenite no.29 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

About Crystal Atlas

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X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data: Peaks:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Ilmenite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:Strong in shades of gray
Bireflectance:Strong O=pinkish brown E= dark brown
Colour in reflected light:Greyish white with brown tint
Pleochroism:Weak

Chemical Properties of Ilmenite

Formula:
Fe
2+
 
TiO
 
3
Essential elements:Fe, O, Ti
All elements listed in formula:Fe, O, Ti
Common Impurities:Mn,Mg,V

Relationship of Ilmenite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Geikielite (see here)
Forms a series with Pyrophanite (see here)
Related to:
  • Ilmenite Group
    • Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

    - +
    4.CB.05Brizziite
    NaSb
    5+
     
    		O
     
    3
    4.CB.05Corundum
    Al
     
    2
    		O
     
    3
    4.CB.05Ecandrewsite
    (Zn,Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mn
    2+
     
    		)TiO
     
    3
    4.CB.05Eskolaite
    Cr
     
    2
    		O
     
    3
    4.CB.05Geikielite
    MgTiO
     
    3
    4.CB.05Hematite
    Fe
     
    2
    		O
     
    3
    4.CB.05Karelianite
    V
     
    2
    		O
     
    3
    4.CB.05Melanostibite
    Mn
    2+
     
    		(Sb
    5+
     
    		,Fe
    3+
     
    		)O
     
    3
    4.CB.05Pyrophanite
    Mn
    2+
     
    		TiO
     
    3
    4.CB.05Auroantimonate
    AuSbO
     
    3
    4.CB.05Romanite
    ([],Pb,Ca)UFe
    2+
    2
    		(Ti,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    6
    		Ti
     
    12
    		O
     
    38
    4.CB.05UM1998-11-O-AuHSb
    Au
     
    2
    		SbO
     
    2
    		(OH)
    4.CB.10Avicennite
    Tl
     
    2
    		O
     
    3
    4.CB.10Bixbyite
    (Mn
    3+
     
    		,Fe
    3+
     
    		)
     
    2
    		O
     
    3
    4.CB.15Armalcolite
    (Mg,Fe
    2+
     
    		)Ti
     
    2
    		O
     
    5
    4.CB.15Pseudobrookite
    Fe
     
    2
    		TiO
     
    5
    4.CB.15Mongshanite
    (Mg,Cr,Fe
    2+
     
    		)
     
    2
    		(Ti,Zr)
     
    5
    		O
     
    12
    4.CB.20Zincohögbomite-2N2S
    Ti(Zn,Mg,Fe)
     
    2
    		Al
     
    8
    		O
     
    15
    		(OH)
    4.CB.20Zincohögbomite-2N6S
    Ti(Zn,Mg,Fe)
     
    6
    		Al
     
    16
    		O
     
    31
    		(OH)
    4.CB.20Magnesiohögbomite-6N6S
    Ti(Mg,Fe)
     
    2
    		Al
     
    8
    		O
     
    15
    		(OH)
    4.CB.20Magnesiohögbomite-2N3S
    Ti(Mg,Fe)
     
    3
    		Al
     
    10
    		O
     
    19
    		(OH)
    4.CB.20Magnesiohögbomite-2N2S
    Ti(Mg,Fe)
     
    2
    		Al
     
    8
    		O
     
    15
    		(OH)
    4.CB.20Ferrohögbomite-6N12S
    Ti(Fe,Mg)
     
    4
    		Al
     
    12
    		O
     
    23
    		(OH)
    4.CB.25Pseudorutile
    Fe
     
    2
    		Ti
     
    3
    		O
     
    9
    4.CB.30Berdesinskiite
    V
    3+
    2
    		TiO
     
    5
    4.CB.35Olkhonskite
    (Cr,V)
     
    2
    		Ti
     
    3
    		O
     
    9
    4.CB.35Schreyerite
    V
     
    2
    		Ti
     
    3
    		O
     
    9
    4.CB.40Kamiokite
    Fe
     
    2
    		Mo
     
    3
    		O
     
    8
    4.CB.40Nolanite
    (V,Fe,Fe,Ti)
     
    10
    		O
     
    14
    		(OH)
     
    2
    4.CB.40Rinmanite
    Zn
     
    2
    		Sb
     
    2
    		Mg
     
    2
    		Fe
     
    4
    		O
     
    14
    		(OH)
     
    2
    4.CB.45Claudetite
    As
     
    2
    		O
     
    3
    4.CB.45Stibioclaudetite
    AsSbO
     
    3
    4.CB.50Arsenolite
    As
     
    2
    		O
     
    3
    4.CB.50Sénarmontite
    Sb
     
    2
    		O
     
    3
    4.CB.55Valentinite
    Sb
     
    2
    		O
     
    3
    4.CB.60Bismite
    Bi
     
    2
    		O
     
    3
    4.CB.65Sphaerobismoite
    Bi
     
    2
    		O
     
    3
    4.CB.70Sillénite
    Bi
     
    12
    		SiO
     
    20
    4.CB.75Kyzylkumite
    V
     
    2
    		Ti
     
    3
    		O
     
    9
    4.CB.80Tietaiyangite
    Fe
    3+
    4
    		Fe
    2+
     
    		TiO
     
    9
    Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

    - +
    7.9.1Hongquiite
    TiO
    7.9.2Rutile
    TiO
     
    2
    7.9.3Anatase
    TiO
     
    2
    7.9.4Brookite
    TiO
     
    2
    7.9.5Geikielite
    MgTiO
     
    3
    7.9.6Perovskite
    CaTiO
     
    3
    7.9.7Kassite
    CaTi
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    		(OH)
     
    2
    7.9.8Tausonite
    SrTiO
     
    3
    7.9.9Crichtonite
    (Sr,La,Ce,Y)(Ti,Fe
    3+
     
    		,Mn)
     
    21
    		O
     
    38
    7.9.10Lucasite-(Ce)
    CeTi
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    6
    7.9.11Hibonite
    (Ca,Ce)(Al,Fe,Ti,Si,Mg)
     
    12
    		O
     
    19
    7.9.12Yttrocrasite-(Y)
    (Y,Th,Ca,U)(Ti,Fe)
     
    2
    		(O,OH)
     
    6
    7.9.13Pyrophanite
    Mn
    2+
     
    		TiO
     
    3
    7.9.14Iwakiite
    Mn(Fe,Mn)
     
    2
    		O
     
    4
    7.9.16Pseudobrookite
    Fe
     
    2
    		TiO
     
    5
    7.9.17Ulvöspinel
    Fe
     
    2
    		TiO
     
    4
    7.9.18Pseudorutile
    Fe
     
    2
    		Ti
     
    3
    		O
     
    9
    7.9.19Freudenbergite
    Na
     
    2
    		(Ti,Fe)
     
    8
    		O
     
    16
    7.9.20 Kennedyite
    MgFeTi
     
    3
    		O
     
    10
    7.9.21Armalcolite
    (Mg,Fe
    2+
     
    		)Ti
     
    2
    		O
     
    5
    7.9.22Högbomite
    (Mg,Fe)
     
    2
    		(Al,Ti)
     
    5
    		O
     
    10
    7.9.23Qandilite
    (Mg,Fe)
     
    2
    		(Ti,Fe,Al)O
     
    4
    7.9.24Cafetite
    (Ca,Mg)(Fe,Al)
     
    2
    		Ti
     
    4
    		O
     
    12
    		·4H
     
    2
    		O
    7.9.25Loveringite
    (Ca,Ce)(Ti,Fe,Cr,Mg)
     
    21
    		O
     
    38
    7.9.26Lindsleyite
    (Ba,Sr)(Ti,Zr,Fe,Cr)
     
    21
    		O
     
    38
    7.9.27Priderite
    (K,Ba)(Ti,Fe)
     
    8
    		O
     
    16
    7.9.28Jeppeite
    (K,Ba)
     
    2
    		(Ti,Fe)
     
    6
    		O
     
    13
    7.9.29Ankangite
    Ba(Ti,V
    3+
     
    		,Cr)
     
    8
    		O
     
    16
    7.9.30Ecandrewsite
    (Zn,Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mn
    2+
     
    		)TiO
     
    3
    7.9.31Landauite
    NaMnZn
     
    2
    		(Ti,Fe)
     
    6
    		Ti
     
    12
    		O
     
    38

    Other Names for Ilmenite

    Synonyms:
    Axotomous EisenerzCibdelophaneHaplotypiteIlmenite (of Kupffer)Mänaken
    Mohsite (of Levy)Para-ilmeniteTitaneisenerzTitanic IronTitanioferrite
    Other Languages:
    Basque:Ilmenita
    Czech:Ilmenit
    Dutch:Ilmeniet
    Finnish:Ilmeniitti
    French:Ilménite
    Titane oxydé ferrifère
    German:Ilmenit
    Eisenhaltiges Titanerz
    Hystatisches Eisenerz
    Titaneisen
    Titaneisenstein
    Greek:Ιλμενίτης
    Hebrew:אילמניט
    Hungarian:Ilmenitcsoport
    Italian:Ilmenite
    Japanese:イルメナイト
    Lithuanian:Ilmenitas
    Norwegian (Bokmål):Ilmenitt
    Polish:Ilmenit
    Portuguese:Ilmenita
    Romanian:Ilmenit
    Russian:Ильменит
    Slovak:Ilmenit
    Spanish:Ilmenita
    Ukrainian:Ільменіт
    Varieties:
    Ferrian IlmeniteGuadarramiteHystatiteIserineKibdelophane
    Magnesian menaccaniteMagnetoilmeniteManaccaniteManganilmeniteManganoan Ilmenite
    PicrocrichtonitePicroilmenitePicrotitaniteSilico-ilmeniteWashingtonite

    Other Information

    Other Information:Weakly magnetic
    Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

    References for Ilmenite

    Reference List:Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 534-541.

    Neumann, E.-R. (1974) The distribution of Mn 2+ and Fe 2+ between ilmenites and magnetites in igneous rocks. American Journal of Science: 274: 1074-1088.

    Grew, E.S. (1980a) Sillimanite and ilmenite from high grade metamorphic rocks of Antarctica and other areas. Journal of Petrology: 21: 39-68.

    Arculus, R.J., Dawson, J.B., Mitchell, R.H., Gust, D.A., and Holmes, R.D. (1984) Oxidation states of the upper mantle recorded by megacryst ilmenite in kimberlite and type A and B spinel Iherzolites. Contri butions to Mineralogy and Petrology: 85: 85-94.

    Mineralogical Journal (Japan)(1989): 14: 179.

    Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (1995) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume II. Silica, Silicates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 904pp., 2 volumes: 264.

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    Localities for Ilmenite

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