Ferronickelplatinum is a rare platinum-group mineral typically occurring as microscopic grains within heavy mineral concentrates or ultramafic complexes. It is visually indistinguishable from native platinum without advanced microprobe or X-ray diffraction analysis and is primarily sought by advanced mineral collectors and researchers.
Is this ferronickelplatinum?
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 ferronickelplatinum with a known reference. Ferronickelplatinum sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Ferronickelplatinum vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ferronickelplatinum leaves gray, Platinum leaves grayish white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ferronickelplatinum leaves gray, Isoferroplatinum leaves grayish-black.
Often found alongside ferronickelplatinum
Minerals reported to co-occur with ferronickelplatinum. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pt₂FeNi
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 15.39 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Scientific study, Collector
- Host rock
- In the heavy fraction of Quaternary alluvial deposits associated with ultramafics from an ophiolite belt (Northern Pekul’nei River, Russia)
Where rockhounds find ferronickelplatinum
Classic worldwide localities
- Goodnews Bay, Alaska, USA
- Placer of the Northern Pekul’nei River, Pekul’nei Range, eastern Chukot Peninsula, Russia (type locality)
- Naran massif, western Mongolia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the heavy fraction of Quaternary alluvial deposits associated with ultramafics from an ophiolite belt (Northern Pekul’nei River, Russia). If you start seeing isoferroplatinum, tetraferroplatinum, rutheniridosmine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ferronickelplatinum?+
Where is ferronickelplatinum found?+
Is ferronickelplatinum safe to handle?+
What rocks look like ferronickelplatinum?+
What minerals are found with ferronickelplatinum?+
What kind of rock does ferronickelplatinum form in?+
What is ferronickelplatinum used for?+
Find ferronickelplatinum on the map
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