Ilmenite (FeTiO3) optical properties using a reflected-light polarizing microscope (adapted from Spry & Gedlinske, 1987):

System: Hexagonal

Reflectance: Low

Colour: grey-white with brownish, pink, or violet tint

VHN and polishing hardness: 659 - 703 / hard

Pleochroism: Weak

Anisotropism: Strong, light greenish grey to brownish grey

Internal reflections: Rare, dark brown

Twinning: Lamellar very common

Commonly associated minerals: Bravoite, chromite, columbite-tantalite, cubanite, hematite, maghemite, magnetite, pentlandite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, rutile, sperrylite, ulvospinel, valleriite

Sample from the EOSC424 reflected light sample collection at UBC