Magnetite
Species
Common · Fe₃O₄
Iron oxide with strong natural magnetic properties. One of the few minerals that acts as a natural magnet in its lodestone form. A common accessory mineral of igneous and metamorphic rocks, it also forms vast banded iron formations.
Identity
- Formula
- Fe₃O₄
- Chemical class
- Oxide
- Mineral group
- Chromite, Spinel
- Also known as
- Lodestone (natural magnet form), Magnetic iron ore
- Ore of
- Iron, Vanadium
- Used in alchemy
- Magnetite Shavings
Crystallography
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Habits
- Octahedral, Dodecahedral, Massive
- Fracture
- Uneven
Physical properties
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 5.18 g/cm³
- Luster
- Metallic, Submetallic
- Colors
- iron-black, gray
- Streak
- black
- Transparency
- Opaque
Geology
- Origins
- Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary
- Host rocks
- Volcanic rock, Schist and gneiss
- Associated minerals
- Ilmenite, Hematite, Pyrite, Chalcopyrite, Apatite, Quartz
- Found in
- Banded iron formation, Basalt, Ironstone, Serpentinite, Banded iron formation deposit, Bog iron, Ironstone beds, Placer deposit, Porphyry copper deposit, Skarn, Volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit
- Geography
- worldwide
Classification
- Rarity
- Common
- Gem quality
- No
Arcane properties
- Affinity
- Earth, Storm
- Effects
- Warding
- Planar origin
- Material Plane
Sources
- M. Pasero and others, IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification, The New IMA List of Minerals, updated September 2026. International Mineralogical Association (CNMNC), 2026.
- Magnetite. Mindat.org (Hudson Institute of Mineralogy).
- J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Magnetite. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy.
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