Hexaferrum is a rare iron osmium ruthenium mineral. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 1995, from material found at the Chirynaisky massif, Koryak Mountains, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.
Is this hexaferrum?
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 hexaferrum with a known reference. Hexaferrum sits at Mohs 6-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellowish steel gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: inclusions, pseudo cubic.
Often confused with
Hexaferrum vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Hexaferrum is noticeably harder (Mohs 6-7 vs. 4); streak differs, so Hexaferrum leaves black, Iron leaves gray.
How to tell apart: Hexaferrum is noticeably harder (Mohs 6-7 vs. 4); streak differs, so Hexaferrum leaves black, Kamacite leaves gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hexaferrum leaves black, Taenite leaves light gray.
Often found alongside hexaferrum
Minerals reported to co-occur with hexaferrum. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe,Os,Ru,Ir)
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Density
- 12.06 g/cm³
- Colors
- Yellowish steel gray
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Inclusions, pseudo cubic
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Found in chromite segregations in dunite
Where rockhounds find hexaferrum
Classic worldwide localities
- The Chirynaisky massif, Koryak Mountains, Kamchatka, Peninsula, Russia (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Found in chromite segregations in dunite. If you start seeing magnetite, ilmenite, basalt in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions, pseudo cubic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify hexaferrum?+
Where is hexaferrum found?+
What rocks look like hexaferrum?+
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Find hexaferrum on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
