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.

Hardness

5.5-6

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Gray

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Haxonite

Hardness: 5.5-6
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Gray
Transparency: Opaque

Is this haxonite?

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 haxonite with a known reference. Haxonite sits at Mohs 5.5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: tin white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Haxonite leaves gray, Cohenite leaves gray-black.

How to tell apart: Haxonite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 4).

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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: 5.5-6
Density: 7.7 g/cm³
Colors: Tin white
Streak: Gray
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Microscopic crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific research
Host rock: In iron meteorites and carbonaceous chondrites

Where rockhounds find haxonite

Classic worldwide localities

Toluca, Canyon Diablo, Edmonton (Kentucky), Tazewell, and many other iron meteorites, characteristic of group I and group IIIC-IIID

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In iron meteorites and carbonaceous chondrites. If you start seeing kamacite, taenite, schreibersite 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 haxonite?+

Mohs hardness is 5.5-6. Luster: metallic. The streak is gray. Common colors include tin white.

Where is haxonite found?+

Notable localities include Toluca, Canyon Diablo, Edmonton (Kentucky), Tazewell, and many other iron meteorites, characteristic of group I and group IIIC-IIID.

Is haxonite safe to handle?+

Haxonite contains nickel. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like haxonite?+

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

What minerals are found with haxonite?+

Haxonite commonly co-occurs with Kamacite, Taenite, Schreibersite, Cohenite, Pentlandite, Magnetite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does haxonite form in?+

Where it forms: In iron meteorites and carbonaceous chondrites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is haxonite used for?+

Haxonite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find haxonite on the map

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