Titanite, Rutile after Ilmenite with Albite

specimen number:
2341096

location:
Imilchil, Midelt, Draa-Tafilalet, Morocco

description:
An interesting and attractive pseudomorph specimen, once this was a large flattened crystal of ilmenite coming off matrix. Freestanding and complete all around, the ilmenite crystal is now replaced by lustrous deep green crystals of titanite and deep red needlelike lustrous crystals of rutile. In great condition. From 2016. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Jan Erik Larsen.

The rugged terrain of the High Atlas region features complex geological formations shaped by ancient tectonic collisions, rifting, and subsequent hydrothermal activity that created diverse mineral pockets. While the surrounding Draa-Tafilalet region has a rich history of large-scale industrial and artisanal mining for base metals, the high-altitude zones near Imilchil and Midelt have gained international renown among collectors for yielding exceptional alpine-type fissure specimens. Local prospectors and artisanal miners harvest these cavities for fine cabinet pieces, uncovering sharply crystallized silicates and accessory minerals including lustrous titanite and translucent green prehnite.

A pseudomorph occurs when one mineral replaces another while preserving the original external crystal form. A classic example involves ilmenite crystals altering into fine-grained aggregates of rutile and titanite. During this replacement process, hydrothermal solutions or weathering alter the original iron-titanium oxide, leaving behind a specimen with the outward shape of ilmenite but an internal composition completely converted into rutile and titanite.

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