Outstanding orange brown crystals of the rare mineral pseudorutile, a mineral much rarer than rutile from Slovaquia (Revúca, Revúca County, Banská Bystrica Region, Slovakia). Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY 4.0
Pseudorutile
Pseudorutile is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the oxides & hydroxide class, with the chemical formula Fe³⁺₂Ti⁴⁺₃O₉.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group P6_322). It is a member of the Tivanite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 5.5; specific gravity 3.8; Reddish brown streak; Submetallic to metallic luster.
IMA symbol Pdrt, IMA status: approved, named in 1966.
An intermediate product of the weathering of ilmenite.
It is found associated with Ilmenite, rutile, anatase, hematite, gadolinite.
Its name comes from the Greek for false and its relation to rutile.