Titanite

[shaman15771]

How do you Id titanite? Supposed to be some around here, but not sure how to id
. Know color is green or brown.

 

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[DeepseekerADS]

Can't answer your question, wouldn't know it if I tripped over it. Certainly interested in the response.

What part of SW VA are you in?

 

[shaman15771]

Rocky mount, ferrum area. Ashe formation

 

[ice9]

Color isn't actually much use for identifying minerals, it's too variable.

Titanite typically forms thin crystals with sharp edges, like an axe head. Typically brown, opaque, brittle with good cleavage.

For success in mineral collecting, I recommend joining a local club, or at least acquiring some literature on what's found in your area.

Lots of good info to be found at local museums, university geology departments, and rock shops.

Good luck!

 

[shaman15771]

Anyone?

 

[Eu_citzen]

Ice is right.

Besides that I'd like to mention twinning is common in those crystals.

 

[IAMZIM]

Not sure what the titanite might look like where you are searching, but when I get home I will find my titanite crystal and post a pic of it for you, maybe it can help you!

 

[IAMZIM]

Here is a twinned titanite from the Delmo Lake area , Montana.

 

[shaman15771]

Thanks iamzim!

 

[meMiner]

There is a Youtube video with titantite specimens being found about 1/3 of the way through plus other crystals from Ontario, Canada:

 

[shaman15771]

Great video! We have biotite here, but it's not as big. However we haven't dug very deep, maybe a foot or so. This will give me a better idea what to look for.