Naquite is a rare iron silicide that forms steel-gray irregular grains. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2010. It was first described from ore body 31, Shannan Prefecture, Tibet, People's Republic of China.
Is this naquite?
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 naquite with a known reference. Naquite sits at Mohs 6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: grayish black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: irregular grains.
Often confused with
Naquite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Naquite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5 vs. 4); streak differs, so Naquite leaves grayish black, Stannite leaves blackish.
How to tell apart: Naquite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs, so Naquite leaves grayish black, Copper leaves rose.
Often found alongside naquite
Minerals reported to co-occur with naquite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeSi
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 6.186 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Grayish black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Irregular grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the heavy mineral fraction of a podiform chromitite deposit in the peridotite of an ophiolitic harzburgite
Where rockhounds find naquite
Classic worldwide localities
- Russia
- China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the heavy mineral fraction of a podiform chromitite deposit in the peridotite of an ophiolitic harzburgite. If you start seeing luobusaite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find naquite on the map
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