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, so 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, so Braggite leaves gray, Sperrylite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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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