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 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: bright metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray white.
- 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. 3-3.5); luster reads bright metallic on Dienerite and metallic on Skutterudite.
How to tell apart: Nickelskutterudite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 3-3.5).
How to tell apart: Maucherite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3-3.5); streak differs, so Dienerite leaves black, Maucherite leaves blackish gray; luster reads bright metallic on Dienerite and metallic on Maucherite.
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
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 8.09 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Bright metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Known only from one loose single crystal
Where rockhounds find dienerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Minnamax Cu–Ni sulfide deposit, Duluth Gabbro complex, near Hibbing, St. Louis Co., Minnesota, USA
- Radstadt, Salzburg, Austria
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Known only from one loose single crystal. If you start seeing nickelskutterudite, arsenic, silver in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify dienerite?+
Where is dienerite found?+
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Find dienerite on the map
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