Mineral description : Ilmenite

Four intergrown ilmenite crystal from Froland, Norway.
(Size : 3x3x2.5 cm)

Mineral class Oxides : Hematite - Ilmenite - Magnetite group.

Chemical formula FeTiO₃

Crystal system Trigonal

Habitus Crystals thick tabular with many surfaces, thin lamellar. Also as massive grainy aggregates.

Cleavage None, fracture conchoidal.

Hardness 5 - 6

Density 4.5 - 5

Color Black.

Streak Brownish black.

Luster Submetallic to dull, opaque.

Description Ilmenite is the most important ores for titanium.

Occurance Common in magmatic rocks where it forms ore bodies by magmatic segregation. Since ilmenite is a mineral that crystallises at high temperatures and have a high density, it concentrates in the bottom of the magma chamber.
Also found in some pegmatites, in metamorphic chlorite schists and in serpentinites.
Ilmenite is found in small amounts in a lot of different rocks, especially in granites.

Associates Hematite, magnetite.

Notes Named after the type locality : Ilmen lake, Ilmen mountains, Miask, Southern Ural, Russia.
Weakly magnetic. Becomes magnetic after heating.
Sometime shows a rhombohedral basal parting.

Localities A common mineral in Scandinavia with some good localities.
Sweden : The database at NRM contains more than 100 references, some are :

Taberg, Småland. In magnetite and olivine.
Ulvön, Ångermanland.
Routevaara, Jokkmokk.
Kalixfors, Kiruna, Lappland. Up to 1.5 cm crystal plates in cavities in granite.
Strands mine, Värmskog, Värmland. Together with apatite and rock crystals.
Mörtebo, Ockelbo, Gästrikland. Together with feldspar.

Norway :

Kragerö area. As fine developed crystals. In pegmatites.
Kyland and Blåfjell, Egersund field. Commonly, even as veins.
Iveland. As Thin plates, "platejern", up to 1 m across but only 3-4 mm thick.
As small amounts in many of the sulphide ores in the Caledonide mountain range.
... plus a number of other localities.

Finland : (Sorry if the names are messed up, but I don't speak Finnish)

Paikkajanvaara mine, Eno. In actinolite, albite and magnetite.
Ridnitsohkka, Enontekiö, Lapland. In gneiss.
Gumböle, Espoo.
Karhujupukka and Kortonlehto, Kolari. In a magnetite - ilmenite ore at around 5 million tons. The ore contains about 6.2% titanium.
Hanhisalo, Leppävirta. Accessoric in a Ni-Cu prospect both in silicates and sulphides.
Koivusaarenneva, Kälviä, western Finland. As an ilmenite ore.
... plus a number of other localities.

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axelsson@acc.umu.se

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Last changed : 2001-03-18

Mineral class	Oxides : Hematite - Ilmenite - Magnetite group.
Chemical formula	FeTiO₃
Crystal system	Trigonal
Habitus	Crystals thick tabular with many surfaces, thin lamellar. Also as massive grainy aggregates.
Cleavage	None, fracture conchoidal.
Hardness	5 - 6
Density	4.5 - 5
Color	Black.
Streak	Brownish black.
Luster	Submetallic to dull, opaque.
Description	Ilmenite is the most important ores for titanium.
Occurance	Common in magmatic rocks where it forms ore bodies by magmatic segregation. Since ilmenite is a mineral that crystallises at high temperatures and have a high density, it concentrates in the bottom of the magma chamber. Also found in some pegmatites, in metamorphic chlorite schists and in serpentinites. Ilmenite is found in small amounts in a lot of different rocks, especially in granites.
Associates	Hematite, magnetite.
Notes	Named after the type locality : Ilmen lake, Ilmen mountains, Miask, Southern Ural, Russia. Weakly magnetic. Becomes magnetic after heating. Sometime shows a rhombohedral basal parting.
Localities	A common mineral in Scandinavia with some good localities. Sweden : The database at NRM contains more than 100 references, some are : Taberg, Småland. In magnetite and olivine. Ulvön, Ångermanland. Routevaara, Jokkmokk. Kalixfors, Kiruna, Lappland. Up to 1.5 cm crystal plates in cavities in granite. Strands mine, Värmskog, Värmland. Together with apatite and rock crystals. Mörtebo, Ockelbo, Gästrikland. Together with feldspar. Norway : Kragerö area. As fine developed crystals. In pegmatites. Kyland and Blåfjell, Egersund field. Commonly, even as veins. Iveland. As Thin plates, "platejern", up to 1 m across but only 3-4 mm thick. As small amounts in many of the sulphide ores in the Caledonide mountain range. ... plus a number of other localities. Finland : (Sorry if the names are messed up, but I don't speak Finnish) Paikkajanvaara mine, Eno. In actinolite, albite and magnetite. Ridnitsohkka, Enontekiö, Lapland. In gneiss. Gumböle, Espoo. Karhujupukka and Kortonlehto, Kolari. In a magnetite - ilmenite ore at around 5 million tons. The ore contains about 6.2% titanium. Hanhisalo, Leppävirta. Accessoric in a Ni-Cu prospect both in silicates and sulphides. Koivusaarenneva, Kälviä, western Finland. As an ilmenite ore. ... plus a number of other localities.