Bismutohauchecornite is a rare member of the hauchecornite group, typically occurring as small, metallic inclusions within other sulfide minerals. Collectors usually find it in hydrothermal vein deposits associated with nickel-cobalt-bismuth mineralization, often requiring microscopic examination for positive identification.
Is this bismutohauchecornite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch bismutohauchecornite with a known reference. Bismutohauchecornite sits at Mohs 5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: grayish black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bronze.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: massive, tabular.
Often confused with
Bismutohauchecornite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Bismutohauchecornite leaves grayish black, Hauchecornite leaves gray-black; luster reads metallic on Bismutohauchecornite and lively metallic on fresh break on Hauchecornite.
How to tell apart: Bismutohauchecornite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5.5 vs. 4).
Often found alongside bismutohauchecornite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bismutohauchecornite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ni₉Bi₂S₈
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 6.25 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Grayish black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, tabular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- Of hydrothermal origin; as secondary pore-fillings and replacements of sandstone and conglomerate (Zimmer Lake, Canada); in ultramafic rocks (Liu Zhuang, China)
Where rockhounds find bismutohauchecornite
Classic worldwide localities
- Oktyabr mine, Talnakh area, Noril’sk region, western Siberia, Russia (type locality)
- Zimmer Lake, northern Saskatchewan, Canada
- Mihara mine, Okayama Prefecture, and the Tsumo mine, Shimane Prefecture, Japan
- Liu Zhuang, Tongbai Co., Henan Province, China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Of hydrothermal origin; as secondary pore-fillings and replacements of sandstone and conglomerate (Zimmer Lake, Canada); in ultramafic rocks (Liu Zhuang, China). If you start seeing chalcocite, galena, pentlandite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bismutohauchecornite?+
Where is bismutohauchecornite found?+
Is bismutohauchecornite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like bismutohauchecornite?+
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