Kingstonite is an extremely rare rhodium-platinum sulfide mineral typically found as microscopic inclusions within other platinum-group minerals. It was first identified in the ore deposits of Kingston, Ontario, and is primarily of interest to systematic mineral collectors and researchers studying platinum-group mineralogy.
Is this kingstonite?
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 kingstonite with a known reference. Kingstonite sits at Mohs ~6, 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: gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: inclusions.
Often confused with
Kingstonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kingstonite leaves black, Hollingworthite leaves grayish-black.
How to tell apart: Laurite is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5 vs. ~6); streak differs, so Kingstonite leaves black, Laurite leaves dark gray.
Often found alongside kingstonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kingstonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Rh₃S₄
- Mohs hardness
- ~6
- Density
- 7.52 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Inclusions
- Cleavage
- Good ∥ [100]
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In placers derived from platinum-bearing dunite and pyroxenite, as inclusions in a Pt-Fe alloy
Where rockhounds find kingstonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bir Bir River, Yubdo district, Wallaga province, Ethiopia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In placers derived from platinum-bearing dunite and pyroxenite, as inclusions in a Pt-Fe alloy. If you start seeing isoferroplatinum, tetraferroplatinum, laurite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find kingstonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
