Dienerite is an extremely rare nickel arsenide mineral typically found in hydrothermal silver-cobalt-nickel vein systems. It is generally identified in massive form and requires laboratory analysis like X-ray diffraction to distinguish it from other chemically similar nickel arsenides.
Is this dienerite?
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 dienerite with a known reference. Dienerite 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. Dienerite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Dienerite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive, granular.
Often confused with
Dienerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Skutterudite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 3.5).
How to tell apart: Nickelskutterudite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 3.5); streak differs, so Dienerite leaves black, Nickelskutterudite leaves grey-black.
How to tell apart: Maucherite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3.5); streak differs, so Dienerite leaves black, Maucherite leaves greyish-black.
Often found alongside dienerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dienerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ni₃As
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 8.09 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find dienerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jáchymov, Czech Republic
- Schneeberg, Germany
- Wittichen, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where dienerite typically forms. If you start seeing nickelskutterudite, arsenic, silver in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find dienerite on the map
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