Kharaelakhite is an extremely rare platinum-group sulfide found primarily in major copper-nickel sulfide deposits. It typically occurs as microscopic grains embedded within ores rather than as distinct crystals, making it a prized species for advanced micromount collectors.

Hardness

3.5-4

Mohs

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareStannite Group family

Kharaelakhite

Hardness: 3.5-4
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this kharaelakhite?

4-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 kharaelakhite with a known reference. Kharaelakhite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: bronze brown.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: grains.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Stannite

Mohs 4

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kharaelakhite leaves black, Stannite leaves blackish.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kharaelakhite leaves black, Pentlandite leaves pale bronze-brown.

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Often found alongside kharaelakhite

Minerals reported to co-occur with kharaelakhite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: (Pt,Cu,Pb,Fe,Ni)₉S₈
Mohs hardness: 3.5-4
Density: 7.78 g/cm³
Colors: Bronze brown
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In hydrothermal chalcopyrite ores

Where rockhounds find kharaelakhite

Classic worldwide localities

Komsomol’skii mine, Talnakh deposit, Noril’sk region, western Siberia, Russia (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In hydrothermal chalcopyrite ores. If you start seeing braggite–cooperite, chalcopyrite, bornite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify kharaelakhite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5-4. The streak is black. Common colors include bronze brown.

Where is kharaelakhite found?+

Notable localities include Komsomol’skii mine, Talnakh deposit, Noril’sk region, western Siberia, Russia (type locality).

Is kharaelakhite safe to handle?+

Kharaelakhite contains copper, lead and nickel. Contains heavy metals; do not inhale dust or ingest. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

What rocks look like kharaelakhite?+

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

What minerals are found with kharaelakhite?+

Kharaelakhite commonly co-occurs with Braggite–cooperite, Chalcopyrite, Bornite, Millerite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does kharaelakhite form in?+

Where it forms: In hydrothermal chalcopyrite ores. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is kharaelakhite used for?+

Kharaelakhite is used in collector.

Find kharaelakhite on the map

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