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 — 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 — 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 — that is 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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