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?
4-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, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow-gray.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. 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.
How to tell apart: Schreibersite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. ~5); luster reads metallic on Murashkoite and brilliant metallic on Schreibersite.
How to tell apart: Barringerite is the harder of the two (Mohs >7 vs. ~5).
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
- Density
- 6.108 g/cm³
- Colors
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Irregular grains, inclusions in other minerals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In a phosphide assemblage related to the Fe-Ni-P system in pyrometamorphic rocks (Hatrurim Formation)
Where rockhounds find murashkoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Halamish Wadi, Hatrurim Basin, southern Negev Desert, Israel
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a phosphide assemblage related to the Fe-Ni-P system in pyrometamorphic rocks (Hatrurim Formation). If you start seeing zuktamrurite, transjordanite, halamishite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular grains, inclusions in other minerals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify murashkoite?+
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What rocks look like murashkoite?+
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Find murashkoite on the map
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