Isovite is a rare chromium carbide mineral typically found as small, metallic grains within platinum-bearing ultramafic rock complexes. It is difficult to distinguish in the field from other metallic oxides and is primarily recognized through microscopic examination and chemical analysis.
Is this isovite?
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 isovite with a known reference. Isovite 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. Isovite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Isovite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: grains.
Often confused with
Isovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Isovite leaves white, Chromite leaves dark brown; luster reads metallic on Isovite and submetallic on Chromite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Isovite leaves white, Magnetite leaves black.
Often found alongside isovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with isovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Cr,Fe)₂₃C₆
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 7.5-7.7 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300+ for micro-specimens
Where rockhounds find isovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kytlym massif, Ural Mountains, Russia
- Bir Bir River, Ethiopia
- Sierra Leone
- Yubdo, Ethiopia
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic rocks country, the host setting where isovite typically forms. If you start seeing chromite, platinum, olivine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find isovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
