Djerfisherite is a rare potassium-bearing sulfide mineral typically found in alkaline igneous complexes and kimberlite pipes. It is noted for its metallic luster and dark color, often appearing as grains or small cubes embedded in silicate matrix minerals.
Is this djerfisherite?
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 djerfisherite with a known reference. Djerfisherite 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. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: submetallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bronze brown, greenish brown, olive green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: granular.
Often confused with
Djerfisherite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Djerfisherite leaves black, Pentlandite leaves pale bronze-brown; luster reads submetallic on Djerfisherite and metallic on Pentlandite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Djerfisherite leaves black, Chalcocite leaves blackish lead-gray; luster reads submetallic on Djerfisherite and metallic on Chalcocite.
Often found alongside djerfisherite
Minerals reported to co-occur with djerfisherite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₆(Fe,Cu,Ni)₂₅S₂₆Cl
- Mohs hardness
- <3.5
- Density
- 3.68 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In meteorites, in hydrothermal Cu–Ni sulfide ores, in skarns, in pegmatites, in kimberlites, and alkalic mafics
Where rockhounds find djerfisherite
Classic worldwide localities
- Coyote Peak, near Orick, Humboldt Co., California, USA
- Talnakh area, Noril’sk region, western Siberia, Russia
- Udachnaya and other kimberlite pipes, Sakhan, Russia
- Inagli complex, Aldan Shield, Russia
- Lovozero, Khibiny, and Kovdor massifs, and the Salmagorskii ring igneous complex, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Dupezeh Mountain, near Hero Town, Qala-Dizeh region, northeastern Iraq
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In meteorites, in hydrothermal Cu–Ni sulfide ores, in skarns, in pegmatites, in kimberlites, and alkalic mafics. If you start seeing nickel-iron, troilite, schreibersite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify djerfisherite?+
Where is djerfisherite found?+
Is djerfisherite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like djerfisherite?+
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Find djerfisherite on the map
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