Ilmenite

Introduction: Ilmenite was first discovered in the southern Ilmen Mountains of Russia and was named after Lake Ilmen. It is a robust, hard ore mineral, mined for its titanium content. It is mainly used as a paint pigment, the manufacture of special titanium metals, ceramics, oil refining, sunscreen lotions, prosthetics and artificial teeth implants.

Distribution: Kunene Complex in Kaokoland, the Erongo Mountains and on the coastline in the Swakopmund District. In the Namib Desert, aeolian dunes contain generous amounts of ilmenite.

Composition: Oxide

Crystal system: Hexagonal

Lustre: Metallic

Streak: Black

Hardness: 5-6