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?
3-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.
- 2Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 3Look 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.
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
- 3.697 g/cm³
- Colors
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic grains and inclusions
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Iron meteorites
Where rockhounds find buseckite
Classic worldwide localities
- Nantan meteorite, China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Iron meteorites. If you start seeing enstatite, plagioclase, troilite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic grains and inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify buseckite?+
Where is buseckite found?+
What rocks look like buseckite?+
What minerals are found with buseckite?+
What kind of rock does buseckite form in?+
What is buseckite used for?+
Find buseckite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
