Buseckite is a rare sulfide mineral first identified as microscopic inclusions within iron meteorites. It belongs to the wurtzite group and is primarily significant to scientific researchers studying extraterrestrial mineralogy and meteorite formation.
Is this buseckite?
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 buseckite with a known reference. Buseckite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Buseckite leaves a brownish black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Buseckite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: microscopic grains and inclusions.
Often confused with
Buseckite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Buseckite leaves brownish black, Wurtzite leaves brownish-yellow to light brown; luster reads metallic on Buseckite and resinous on Wurtzite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Buseckite leaves brownish black, Sphalerite leaves white to yellow-brown; luster reads metallic on Buseckite and resinous to submetallic on Sphalerite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Buseckite leaves brownish black, Troilite leaves black.
Often found alongside buseckite
Minerals reported to co-occur with buseckite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe,Zn,Mn)S
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 4.56 g/cm³
- Streak
- Brownish Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic Grains and Inclusions
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Iron Meteorites
- Typical price
- Expensive, typically only available in research or advanced collection settings.
Where rockhounds find buseckite
Classic worldwide localities
- Nantan meteorite, China
Field-hunting tip
Look in iron meteorites country — that is the host setting where buseckite typically forms. If you start seeing troilite, graphite, schreibersite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microscopic grains and inclusions habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find buseckite on the map
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