Chengdeite is an extremely rare iridium-iron intermetallic mineral discovered in the platinum-bearing chromitite deposits of China. It typically occurs as microscopic inclusions or grains within other platinum-group minerals, requiring electron microprobe analysis for positive identification.
Is this chengdeite?
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 chengdeite with a known reference. Chengdeite 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. Chengdeite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chengdeite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: irregular grains, inclusions.
Often confused with
Chengdeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside chengdeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chengdeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ir₃Fe
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 12.3-12.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Irregular Grains, Inclusions
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- extremely high, mostly sold in research collections
Where rockhounds find chengdeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Luanping, Hebei Province, China
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic igneous rocks country, the host setting where chengdeite typically forms. If you start seeing platinum, magnetite, chromite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a irregular grains, inclusions habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find chengdeite on the map
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