magnetite, iron oxide mineral (FeFe 2 O 4, or Fe 3 O 4) that is the chief member of one of the series of the spinel ( q.v.) group. Minerals in this series form black to brownish, metallic, moderately hard octahedrons and masses in igneous and metamorphic rocks and in granite pegmatites, stony meteorites, and high-temperature sulfide veins.