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
- Typical price
- n/a
Where rockhounds find carletonmooreite
Classic worldwide localities
- Santa Catharina meteorite
- Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Look in iron meteorites country — that is 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?+
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How much is carletonmooreite worth?+
What rocks look like carletonmooreite?+
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Find carletonmooreite on the map
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