When rocks containing ilmenite weather, grains of ilmenite disperse with the sediment. The high specific gravity of these grains causes them to segregate during stream transport and accumulate as "heavy mineral sands." These sands are black in color and easily recognized by geologists.

What color is ilmenite?

Ilmenite is a weakly magnetic mineral. The color is commonly iron-black, brownish-black, with metallic to sub-metallic luster.

Is ilmenite naturally occurring?

11.4.

Ilmenite is a combined oxide naturally occurring in the form FeTiO₃, which is also the reduced form in CLC.