Godlevskite is a rare nickel sulfide mineral usually found within complex magmatic ore bodies. It typically presents as metallic yellow, granular masses and is most commonly identified through microscopic analysis or ore microscopy due to its similarity to other nickel sulfides.
Is this godlevskite?
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 godlevskite with a known reference. Godlevskite sits at Mohs 4-5, 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: bronze yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Godlevskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Godlevskite leaves gray, Pentlandite leaves pale bronze-brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Godlevskite leaves gray, Millerite leaves greenish black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Godlevskite leaves gray, Heazlewoodite leaves light bronze.
Often found alongside godlevskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with godlevskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ni,Fe)₉S₈
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 5.27 g/cm³
- Colors
- Bronze yellow
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- None observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In hydrothermal veins, or in peridotite with other nickel sulfides
Where rockhounds find godlevskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Moapa, Clark Co., Nevada, USA
- Talnakh area, Noril’sk region, western Siberia, in the Zapolyarnyi (type locality), Mayak, Russia
- Bazhenovo ultramafic massif, Middle Ural Mountains, Russia
- Swat Valley, northwestern Pakistan
- Amianthus mine, Kaapsche Hoop, Barberton, Transvaal, South Africa
- Bou Azzer, Morocco
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In hydrothermal veins, or in peridotite with other nickel sulfides. If you start seeing millerite, heazlewoodite, pentlandite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find godlevskite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
