Monipite is an extremely rare phosphide mineral first discovered within the Khatyrka meteorite. It typically appears as tiny microscopic grains associated with other rare meteoritic minerals in high-pressure extraterrestrial environments.
Is this monipite?
3-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Monipite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 2Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray.
- 3Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often found alongside monipite
Minerals reported to co-occur with monipite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mo₃NiP
- Density
- 5.68 g/cm³
- Colors
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- CV3 Carbonaceous Chondrite Meteorite
Where rockhounds find monipite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khatyrka meteorite, Koryak Mountains, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in cv3 carbonaceous chondrite meteorite country, the host setting where monipite typically forms. If you start seeing icosahedrite, hattite, steinhardtite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify monipite?+
Where is monipite found?+
What minerals are found with monipite?+
What kind of rock does monipite form in?+
What is monipite used for?+
Find monipite on the map
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