Laurite is a rare ruthenium sulfide mineral typically found as small, metallic black crystals within platinum group element (PGE) deposits. Collectors often find it as inclusions in chromite or alluvial placer deposits derived from ultramafic rocks. Due to its extreme rarity and high ruthenium content, it is highly prized by advanced mineralogists.
Is this laurite?
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 laurite with a known reference. Laurite sits at Mohs 7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: dark gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: crystalline, granular.
Often confused with
Laurite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Laurite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7.5 vs. 6-6.5); streak differs, so Laurite leaves dark gray, Pyrite leaves greenish black to brownish black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Laurite leaves dark gray, Sperrylite leaves black.
Often found alongside laurite
Minerals reported to co-occur with laurite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- RuS₂
- Mohs hardness
- 7.5
- Density
- 6.43 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Dark gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Crystalline, granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {111}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In ultramafic complexes and in placer deposits
Where rockhounds find laurite
Classic worldwide localities
- Stillwater complex, Montana, USA
- Yuba River, Nevada Co., and from the Trinity River near Douglas City, Trinity Co., California, USA
- Goodnews Bay, Alaska, USA
- Merensky Reef of the Bushveld complex, at Potgietersrus, South Africa
- Rustenburg and Union mines, South Africa
- Driekop and Onverwacht mines, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In ultramafic complexes and in placer deposits. If you start seeing cooperite, braggite, sperrylite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crystalline, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify laurite?+
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Find laurite on the map
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