Daubréelite is an extremely rare iron chromium sulfide almost exclusively found as an inclusion within iron meteorites. It typically occurs as black, submetallic masses or thin lamellae intergrown with troilite, and is highly valued by meteorite collectors for its extraterrestrial origin.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Metallic, brilliant

Streak

Brown

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareSpinel Group family

Daubréelite

Hardness: 5
Luster: Metallic, brilliant
Streak: Brown
Transparency: Opaque

Is this daubréelite?

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 daubréelite with a known reference. Daubréelite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brown.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic, brilliant.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: granular, massive, rarely as small octahedra.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Daubréelite leaves brown, Magnetite leaves black.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Daubréelite leaves brown, Troilite leaves dark grayish brown.

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Often found alongside daubréelite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: FeCr₂S₄
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 3.81 g/cm³
Colors: Black
Streak: Brown
Luster: Metallic, brilliant
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Granular, massive, rarely as small octahedra
Cleavage: Distinct
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific research
Host rock: In small amounts in many meteorites

Where rockhounds find daubréelite

Classic worldwide localities

In iron meteorites, such as the Cosby's Creek, Toluca, Cranbourne, and Mundrabilla octahedrites, and the Coahuila, North Chile, and Scottsville hexahedrites (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In small amounts in many meteorites. If you start seeing troilite, kamacite, orthoenstatite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular, massive, rarely as small octahedra. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify daubréelite?+

Mohs hardness is 5. Luster: metallic, brilliant. The streak is brown. Common colors include black.

Where is daubréelite found?+

Notable localities include In iron meteorites, such as the Cosby's Creek, Toluca, Cranbourne, and Mundrabilla octahedrites, and the Coahuila, North Chile, and Scottsville hexahedrites (type locality).

What rocks look like daubréelite?+

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

What minerals are found with daubréelite?+

Daubréelite commonly co-occurs with Troilite, Kamacite, Orthoenstatite, Plagioclase, Alabandite, Graphite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does daubréelite form in?+

Where it forms: In small amounts in many meteorites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is daubréelite used for?+

Daubréelite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find daubréelite on the map

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