ILMENITE
Specimen ilm-3

Dims: 1.9 x 1.3 x 0.8" (4.8 x 3.3 x 2.1 cm)

Wt: 1.3 oz. (38 g)

Tormiq, Gilgit, Skardu, Northern Areas, Pakistan

A cluster of several Ilmenite rosettes comprises this small hand specimen. The largest of these clusters measures 0.8" (2.0 cm) along its longest axis, but most are half that diameter. Each rosette is made up of many intergrown trigonal tabular crystals, a few of which have broken edges. They strongly resemble hematite not only with respect to their dark gray color and metallic luster, but also due to their form and habit. A small amount of what appears to be calcite is interspersed on the piece.

Dims: 2.2 x 1.4 x 1.0" (5.6 x 3.6 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 2.4 oz. (69 g)

Blafjell Titania Mines, Egersund, Norway

This hand specimen consists mostly of massive Ilmenite, though it may contain some tiny, tabular crystals. The material shows some striation due to layering, but no visible crystal form. Its color is brown-black and its luster is matte. Many small rounded nodules of natrolite or albite rest on the piece, along with scores of tiny tabular crystals- these may be Ilmenite, but I believe that they are actually hematite.

Dims: 2.1 x 1.5 x 1.1" (5.3 x 3.8 x 2.7 cm)

Wt: 1.8 oz. (50 g)

Faraday Mine, Bancroft, Ontario, Canada

A single Ilmenite crystal juts up from the calcite base of this hand specimen. This crystal is in good condition, showing a small amount of damage, and has dimensions of 0.6 x 0.6 x 0.2" (1.5 x 1.5 x 0.6 cm). Its hexagonal tabular form is very good. It has the standard black color and submetallic luster, and is, of course, opaque. A few small Ilmenite shards rest on the host rock next to it.