Haxonite is a rare iron-nickel carbide mineral that forms within iron meteorites as a result of specific cooling histories. It is typically found as microscopic grains or small inclusions intergrown with other iron-nickel phases, making it a prized discovery for meteorite specialists and researchers. Due to its extraterrestrial origin and rarity, it is almost exclusively found by analyzing cross-sections of known iron meteorite falls.
Is this haxonite?
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 haxonite with a known reference. Haxonite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Haxonite leaves a gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Haxonite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, silver-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: granular.
Often confused with
Haxonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside haxonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with haxonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe,Ni)₂₃C₆
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 7.52 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Iron Meteorites
- Typical price
- $100-500 for small research fragments
Where rockhounds find haxonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Canyon Diablo meteorite (Arizona, USA)
- Toluca meteorite (Mexico)
- Henbury meteorite (Australia)
Field-hunting tip
Look in iron meteorites country — that is the host setting where haxonite typically forms. If you start seeing kamacite, taenite, schreibersite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find haxonite on the map
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