Carletonmooreite is a rare nickel silicide mineral known primarily from iron meteorites, specifically those rich in nickel. It typically occurs as minute grains intergrown with other iron-nickel phases like kamacite and taenite, making it difficult for amateur collectors to identify without professional geochemical analysis.
Is this carletonmooreite?
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 carletonmooreite with a known reference. Carletonmooreite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Carletonmooreite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Carletonmooreite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, silvery-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: microscopic grains.
Often confused with
Carletonmooreite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside carletonmooreite
Minerals reported to co-occur with carletonmooreite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ni₃Si
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 7.88 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Iron Meteorites
Where rockhounds find carletonmooreite
Classic worldwide localities
- Santa Catharina meteorite
- Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Look in iron meteorites country, the host setting where carletonmooreite typically forms. If you start seeing kamacite, taenite, schreibersite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microscopic grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify carletonmooreite?+
Where is carletonmooreite found?+
What rocks look like carletonmooreite?+
What minerals are found with carletonmooreite?+
What kind of rock does carletonmooreite form in?+
What is carletonmooreite used for?+
Find carletonmooreite on the map
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