Chenmingite is a very rare iron-chromium oxide mineral discovered within the Chenming iron meteorite in China. It occurs as microscopic grains associated with other metallic meteoritic phases and shares a structure related to the spinel group, specifically defined by its trigonal symmetry.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Chenmingite

Hardness: 6
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this chenmingite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch chenmingite with a known reference. Chenmingite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chenmingite leaves a black streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Chenmingite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black, gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: granular.

Often confused with

Chenmingite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Chromite

Mohs 5.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Chenmingite leaves black, Chromite leaves dark brown; luster reads metallic on Chenmingite and submetallic on Chromite.

Often found alongside chenmingite

Minerals reported to co-occur with chenmingite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: FeCr₂O₄
Mohs hardness: 6
Density: 4.95 g/cm³
Colors: Black Gray
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Granular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Iron-nickel Meteorites
Typical price: Not publicly traded; restricted to scientific/research collections.

Where rockhounds find chenmingite

Classic worldwide localities

Chenming meteorite (China)

Field-hunting tip

Look in iron-nickel meteorites country — that is the host setting where chenmingite typically forms. If you start seeing kamacite, taenite, troilite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify chenmingite?+

Mohs hardness is 6. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is black. Common colors include black, gray.

Where is chenmingite found?+

Notable localities include Chenming meteorite (China).

How much is chenmingite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of Not publicly traded; restricted to scientific/research collections.. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like chenmingite?+

Chenmingite is most often confused with Chromite, Magnetite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with chenmingite?+

Chenmingite commonly co-occurs with Kamacite, Taenite, Troilite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does chenmingite form in?+

Chenmingite typically forms in iron-nickel meteorites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is chenmingite used for?+

Chenmingite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find chenmingite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.