Wangdaodeite is a rare iron titanium oxide that forms irregular grains. Associated minerals include ringwoodite, majorite and xieite. It was first described from the Suizhou L6 chondrite meteorite that fell in the suburb of Suizhou City, Hubei Province, China.
Is this wangdaodeite?
2-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch wangdaodeite with a known reference. Wangdaodeite sits at Mohs 5-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: irregular grains.
Often confused with
Wangdaodeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside wangdaodeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wangdaodeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeTiO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 4.72 g/cm³
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Irregular grains
- Cleavage
- None observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In or adjacent to shock-melt veinlets in chondritic parts of a meteorite, P-T conditions of formation estimated to be 20-24 GPa and >1200 °C
Where rockhounds find wangdaodeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Suizhou L6 chondrite meteorite that fell in the suburb of Suizhou City, Hubei Province, China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In or adjacent to shock-melt veinlets in chondritic parts of a meteorite, P-T conditions of formation estimated to be 20-24 GPa and >1200 °C. If you start seeing ringwoodite, majorite, xieite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify wangdaodeite?+
Where is wangdaodeite found?+
What rocks look like wangdaodeite?+
What minerals are found with wangdaodeite?+
What kind of rock does wangdaodeite form in?+
What is wangdaodeite used for?+
Find wangdaodeite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
