Murashkoite is an extremely rare iron phosphide mineral originally discovered in the Kola Peninsula. It typically occurs as microscopic grains or inclusions within iron-rich environments associated with alkaline igneous rocks.
Is this murashkoite?
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 murashkoite with a known reference. Murashkoite sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Murashkoite leaves a gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Murashkoite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: irregular grains, inclusions in other minerals.
Often confused with
Murashkoite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside murashkoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with murashkoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeP
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 7.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Irregular Grains, Inclusions in Other Minerals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- expensive based on rarity and research value
Where rockhounds find murashkoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Yenisei Ridge, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where murashkoite typically forms. If you start seeing iron, troilite, graphite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a irregular grains, inclusions in other minerals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find murashkoite on the map
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