Kitagohaite is a very rare platinum-copper alloy typically found as microscopic grains within ultramafic rock complexes. It is primarily identified through electron microprobe analysis rather than visual field inspection due to its extremely small, metallic white appearance.
Is this kitagohaite?
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 kitagohaite with a known reference. Kitagohaite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: grayish white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Kitagohaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kitagohaite leaves gray, Platinum leaves grayish white.
How to tell apart: Isoferroplatinum is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3.5); streak differs, so Kitagohaite leaves gray, Isoferroplatinum leaves grayish-black.
Often found alongside kitagohaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kitagohaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pt₇Cu
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 19.958 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In heavy mineral concentrates from river sediment perhaps derived from hydrothermal quartz vein deposits of unknown type
Where rockhounds find kitagohaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kitagoha river basin, Lubero region, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Reported from sediment in the Lemmenjoki and Ivalojoki river systems, Finnish Lapland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In heavy mineral concentrates from river sediment perhaps derived from hydrothermal quartz vein deposits of unknown type. If you start seeing luberoite, quartz, zircon in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kitagohaite?+
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Is kitagohaite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like kitagohaite?+
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Find kitagohaite on the map
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