Chromferide is an extremely rare iron-chromium alloy first discovered in the Khatyrka meteorite. It occurs as microscopic grains within extraterrestrial rock and is significant for its unique composition and discovery in a quasicrystal-bearing meteorite.

Hardness

5-6

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Chromferide

Hardness: 5-6
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

Is this chromferide?

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 chromferide with a known reference. Chromferide sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chromferide leaves a black streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Chromferide typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, silver-white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: grains.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Iron

Mohs 4-5

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Chromferide leaves black, Iron leaves gray.

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Often found alongside chromferide

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Fe₃Cr
Mohs hardness: 5-6
Density: 6.8 g/cm³
Colors: White Silver-white
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Research, Collector
Host rock: CV3 Carbonaceous Chondrite Meteorites
Typical price: n/a (extremely rare meteorite inclusion)

Where rockhounds find chromferide

Classic worldwide localities

Khatyrka meteorite
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in cv3 carbonaceous chondrite meteorites country — that is the host setting where chromferide typically forms. If you start seeing khatyrkite, cupalite, haxonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify chromferide?+

Mohs hardness is 5-6. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is black. Common colors include white, silver-white.

Where is chromferide found?+

Notable localities include Khatyrka meteorite; Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia.

How much is chromferide worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of n/a (extremely rare meteorite inclusion). Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like chromferide?+

Chromferide is most often confused with Iron. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with chromferide?+

Chromferide commonly co-occurs with Khatyrkite, Cupalite, Haxonite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does chromferide form in?+

Chromferide typically forms in cv3 carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is chromferide used for?+

Chromferide is used in research, collector.

Find chromferide on the map

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