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 — that is 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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