Comparison · Oxide Minerals
Ilmenite vs Pyrolusite
Ilmenite and Pyrolusite are easy to confuse because both are oxide minerals. Both sit near Mohs 5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Ilmenite and Pyrolusite
- Both sit near Mohs 5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Streak color differs: Ilmenite leaves a black to brownish red streak on unglazed porcelain, Pyrolusite leaves black to bluish black.
- Both look metallic, so compare color, tarnish and weight rather than shine.
- They overlap in black, but Ilmenite also comes in brown and Pyrolusite also comes in gray.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Ilmenite is trigonal, Pyrolusite is tetragonal.
Ilmenite vs Pyrolusite properties
| Property | Ilmenite | Pyrolusite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Oxide Minerals | Oxide Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 5.5 | 6.25 |
| Luster | metallic | metallic |
| Streak | Black to brownish red | Black to bluish black |
| Transparency | opaque | opaque |
| Specific gravity | 4.7 | 5 |
| Crystal system | trigonal | tetragonal |
| Common colors | Black, Iron-black, Brownish black | Black, Steel gray, Bluish gray |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $5–$200+ | $5–$200+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Ilmenite and Pyrolusite trade in a similar range, around $35.
About Ilmenite
Ilmenite is an iron titanium oxide and the most important ore of titanium. It typically forms black, weakly magnetic, metallic to submetallic grains and tabular crystals in igneous rocks and heavy mineral sands.
About Pyrolusite
Pyrolusite is the most common manganese oxide ore mineral, with a steel-gray to black color and metallic to dull luster. It typically occurs as massive, fibrous, or radiating aggregates and often forms branching dendrites on rock surfaces.
Ilmenite vs Pyrolusite FAQ
Is Ilmenite the same as Pyrolusite?
No. Both are oxide minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Both sit near Mohs 5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Ilmenite from Pyrolusite?
Both sit near Mohs 5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Streak color differs: Ilmenite leaves a black to brownish red streak on unglazed porcelain, Pyrolusite leaves black to bluish black. Both look metallic, so compare color, tarnish and weight rather than shine.
Which is harder, Ilmenite or Pyrolusite?
Pyrolusite is harder: Mohs 6.25 against Mohs 5.5 for Ilmenite.
Which is more valuable, Ilmenite or Pyrolusite?
Typical specimens of Ilmenite and Pyrolusite trade in a similar range, around $35.
