Damiaoite is an extremely rare platinum-indium mineral discovered in copper-bearing iron-sulfide deposits. It typically occurs as microscopic anhedral grains associated with other platinum-group minerals. It is primarily a study specimen for advanced mineralogists focusing on platinum-group element mineralogy.
Is this damiaoite?
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 damiaoite with a known reference. Damiaoite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Damiaoite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Damiaoite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Damiaoite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside damiaoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with damiaoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PtIn₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 9.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Cupriferous Iron-sulfide Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500+ micro-mounts
Where rockhounds find damiaoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Damiao, Hebei Province, China
Field-hunting tip
Look in cupriferous iron-sulfide ore deposits country — that is the host setting where damiaoite typically forms. If you start seeing platinum, chalcopyrite, bornite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find damiaoite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
