Cohenite is a rare iron carbide mineral found almost exclusively in iron meteorites. It typically appears as brittle, tin-white grains or thin plates within the nickel-iron matrix of metallic meteorites, serving as a key indicator of specific thermal conditions during the formation of planetary bodies.

Hardness

5.5-6

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Grey-black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareCementite Group family

Cohenite

Hardness: 5.5-6
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Grey-black
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this cohenite?

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 cohenite with a known reference. Cohenite sits at Mohs 5.5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cohenite leaves a grey-black streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Cohenite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, silver-white, tin-white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: granular, massive, plates.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Taenite

Mohs 5-5.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cohenite leaves grey-black, Taenite leaves gray.

Often found alongside cohenite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: (Fe,Ni,Co)₃C
Mohs hardness: 5.5-6
Density: 7.2-7.6 g/cm³
Colors: White Silver-white Tin-white
Streak: Grey-black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Granular, Massive, Plates
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Iron Meteorites
Typical price: $50-500 depending on specimen size and source meteorite

Where rockhounds find cohenite

Classic worldwide localities

Canyon Diablo meteorite (USA)
Magura meteorite (Slovakia)
Sikhote-Alin meteorite (Russia)
Cape York meteorite (Greenland)

Field-hunting tip

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

Common questions

How do you identify cohenite?+

Mohs hardness is 5.5-6. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is grey-black. Common colors include white, silver-white, tin-white.

Where is cohenite found?+

Notable localities include Canyon Diablo meteorite (USA); Magura meteorite (Slovakia); Sikhote-Alin meteorite (Russia); Cape York meteorite (Greenland).

How much is cohenite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-500 depending on specimen size and source meteorite. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like cohenite?+

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

What minerals are found with cohenite?+

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

What kind of rock does cohenite form in?+

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

What is cohenite used for?+

Cohenite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find cohenite on the map

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