Droninoite is an extremely rare nickel-iron hydroxy-chloride mineral first identified within the weathering crust of the Dronino iron meteorite. It typically occurs as orange to red thin, tabular crystals often found associated with other secondary iron oxidation products in meteorite impact debris.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

Orange-red

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareHydrotalcite Group family

Droninoite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Pearly
Streak: Orange-red
Transparency: Translucent

No image

Is this droninoite?

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 droninoite with a known reference. Droninoite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Droninoite leaves a orange-red streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Droninoite typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: red, orange.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: lamellar crystals, thin plates.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Hydrotalcite

Mohs 2

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Droninoite leaves orange-red, Hydrotalcite leaves white.

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Droninoite leaves orange-red, Meixnerite leaves white.

Compare →

Often found alongside droninoite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ni₄Fe₂⁺(OH)₁₂Cl₂·3H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 2.26 g/cm³
Colors: Red Orange
Streak: Orange-red
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Lamellar Crystals, Thin Plates
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Iron Meteorite Oxidation Products
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find droninoite

Classic worldwide localities

Dronino meteorite site, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in iron meteorite oxidation products country — that is the host setting where droninoite typically forms. If you start seeing goethite, akaganeite, nickel-iron alloy in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a lamellar crystals, thin plates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify droninoite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. It typically shows a pearly luster. The streak is orange-red. Common colors include red, orange.

Where is droninoite found?+

Notable localities include Dronino meteorite site, Russia.

How much is droninoite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is droninoite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains nickel, which is a known skin sensitizer and potentially toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust; handle with care and wash hands after contact. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like droninoite?+

Droninoite is most often confused with Hydrotalcite, Meixnerite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with droninoite?+

Droninoite commonly co-occurs with Goethite, Akaganeite, Nickel-iron alloy. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does droninoite form in?+

Droninoite typically forms in iron meteorite oxidation products. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is droninoite used for?+

Droninoite is used in collector.

Find droninoite on the map

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