# Magnetite

Magnetite is a special mineral that can stick to magnets! It is usually black and very shiny.

- **Category:** [Mineral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mineral)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

![Magnetite](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426733/objects/5406.jpg)

## Appearance

The Magnetite is a very dense, dark grey to black mineral, often appearing dull to distinctly metallic and shiny. It sometimes forms cubic or octahedral crystals, setting it apart from other common dark minerals that lack its strong metallic sheen.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Ancient sailors used naturally magnetic pieces of magnetite, called lodestone, as their very first compasses!
- Magnetite is so dense and heavy, it feels much heavier than most rocks of the same size!
- When lightning strikes rocks, it can sometimes turn ordinary iron minerals into magnetic magnetite!
- Your body contains tiny specks of magnetite, and scientists are still figuring out what they do!

## Special abilities

- **Magnetic Mastery:** Magnetite has strong magnetic properties, meaning it can be attracted to magnets and even act as a natural magnet!
- **Iron's Beginning:** Magnetite has a high iron content (over 70%), making it an incredibly important ore for producing iron and steel.

## Measurements & details

- **Color Range:** black, dark grey
- **Hardness:** 6
- **Luster:** metallic to submetallic
- **Specific Gravity:** 5.18
- **Crystal System:** isometric

## Traits

- [Metallic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/metallic): Metallic refers to substances, materials, or objects possessing properties characteristic of metals, such as luster and conductivity.
- [Metallic Luster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/metallic-luster): Metallic luster describes a mineral's appearance when reflecting light, resembling polished metal, often opaque.
- [Magnetic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/magnetic): Magnetic geological traits refer to minerals or rocks that exhibit natural magnetism, attracting or repelling other magnetic substances.
- [Crystalline](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crystalline): Crystalline describes a mineral or rock composed of crystals, often exhibiting a regular atomic structure and geometric external form.

## Collections

- [Minerals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals)
- [Minerals & Rocks](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals-and-rocks)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Handle gently and avoid sharp edges. Ask an adult before picking anything up.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Magnetite?

Compare crystal habit, luster, transparency, cleavage and surface texture. Minerals with different compositions can share almost the same color. Mineral Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What colors can Magnetite be?

black, dark grey

### How hard is Magnetite?

6

### What kind of luster does Magnetite have?

metallic to submetallic

### What is Magnetite's specific gravity?

5.18

### What crystal system does Magnetite belong to?

isometric

## More Mineral

- [Quartz Crystal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quartz-crystal)
- [Amethyst](https://www.snappit.app/explore/amethyst)
- [Rose Quartz](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-quartz)
- [Citrine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/citrine)

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Source: [Magnetite: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/magnetite)