Carlsbergite is a rare chromium nitride mineral typically found exclusively within iron meteorites as microscopic inclusions. It generally occurs as tiny, metallic, cubic grains embedded within kamacite or taenite matrices. It is highly sought after by meteorite collectors as a mineralogical rarity of extraterrestrial origin.
Is this carlsbergite?
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 carlsbergite with a known reference. Carlsbergite sits at Mohs 7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, platy.
Often confused with
Carlsbergite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside carlsbergite
Minerals reported to co-occur with carlsbergite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CrN
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 5.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals, platy
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- As minute platelets and grain boundary precipitates in kamacite and troilite, and as similar grains ringing daubreelite in iron meteorites
Where rockhounds find carlsbergite
Classic worldwide localities
- Since identified in more than 70 meteorites, mostly of Ga–Ge group IIIA, and also in groups I and IIA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As minute platelets and grain boundary precipitates in kamacite and troilite, and as similar grains ringing daubreelite in iron meteorites. If you start seeing kamacite, taenite, daubreelite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, platy. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify carlsbergite?+
Where is carlsbergite found?+
What rocks look like carlsbergite?+
What minerals are found with carlsbergite?+
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Find carlsbergite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
