Braggite is a rare platinum-group sulfide mineral, typically found as microscopic grains within massive sulfide ore deposits. It is best identified by its high metallic luster, lead-gray color, and characteristic association with other platinum-group minerals in ultramafic rocks.
Is this braggite?
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 braggite with a known reference. Braggite sits at Mohs 4-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Braggite leaves a gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Braggite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel-gray, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains, prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Braggite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Braggite leaves gray, Cooperite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Sperrylite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 4-5); streak differs — Braggite leaves gray, Sperrylite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Braggite leaves gray, Platinum leaves steel-gray.
Often found alongside braggite
Minerals reported to co-occur with braggite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Pt,Pd,Ni)S
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 9.7 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Platinum
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Igneous Rocks and Layered Intrusions
- Typical price
- $100-500 for small thumbnail specimens
Where rockhounds find braggite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bushveld Complex, South Africa
- Stillwater Complex, USA
- Norilsk, Russia
- Sudbury Basin, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic igneous rocks and layered intrusions country — that is the host setting where braggite typically forms. If you start seeing cooperite, sperrylite, pentlandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find braggite on the map
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