Gersdorffite is a nickel sulfarsenide mineral often found in hydrothermal nickel-cobalt vein deposits. Collectors prize it for its sharp, metallic octahedral crystals, though it is frequently found in massive or granular aggregates alongside other sulfide minerals.
Is this gersdorffite?
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 gersdorffite with a known reference. Gersdorffite sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Gersdorffite leaves a grayish-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Gersdorffite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white, steel-gray, blackish-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Gersdorffite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Gersdorffite leaves grayish-black, Arsenopyrite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Gersdorffite leaves grayish-black, Cobaltite leaves greyish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Gersdorffite leaves grayish-black, Skutterudite leaves black.
Often found alongside gersdorffite
Minerals reported to co-occur with gersdorffite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NiAsS
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 5.9-6.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- Grayish-black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Poor On {100}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Nickel
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Nickel-sulfide Deposits
- Typical price
- $15-150 per specimen depending on crystal quality and size.
Where rockhounds find gersdorffite
Classic worldwide localities
- Schladming, Austria
- Cobalt, Ontario, Canada
- Bou Azzer, Morocco
- Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
- Harz Mountains, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, nickel-sulfide deposits country — that is the host setting where gersdorffite typically forms. If you start seeing niccolite, millerite, cobaltite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a octahedral crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find gersdorffite on the map
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