Jedwabite is an extremely rare iron carbide mineral typically found as tiny inclusions or microscopic grains in heavy mineral concentrates from placer deposits. It is known primarily from Russian localities associated with ultramafic rocks and requires specialized analytical equipment like electron microscopy for positive identification.
Is this jedwabite?
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 jedwabite with a known reference. Jedwabite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Jedwabite leaves a gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Jedwabite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: microscopic grains, aggregates.
Often confused with
Jedwabite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside jedwabite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jedwabite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe₇C₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 9.5-10.0 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic Grains, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Placer Deposits, Ultramafic Rocks
- Typical price
- n/a
Where rockhounds find jedwabite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kozhim River, Subpolar Urals, Russia
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in placer deposits, ultramafic rocks country — that is the host setting where jedwabite typically forms. If you start seeing native iron, moissanite, ilmenite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microscopic grains, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find jedwabite on the map
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