Native indium is an extremely rare metallic mineral that typically occurs as tiny inclusions within other tin-bearing minerals. Because it is highly malleable and ductile, it is almost never found as well-formed macro-crystals, appearing instead as microscopic grains or small masses in specialized geological environments.
Is this native indium?
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 native indium with a known reference. Native Indium sits at Mohs 1-1.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Native Indium leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Native Indium typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, silvery-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: irregular grains, inclusions, rarely microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Native Indium vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Native Indium leaves white, Native Lead leaves blue-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Native Indium leaves white, Native Bismuth leaves silver-white.
Often found alongside native indium
Minerals reported to co-occur with native indium. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- In
- Mohs hardness
- 1-1.5
- Density
- 7.3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Irregular Grains, Inclusions, Rarely Microscopic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Tin Deposits
- Typical price
- $200-1000+ per specimen
Where rockhounds find native indium
Classic worldwide localities
- Dzhalinda deposit, Russia
- Uchali, Russia
- Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal tin deposits country — that is the host setting where native indium typically forms. If you start seeing cassiterite, native tin, native lead in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a irregular grains, inclusions, rarely microscopic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify native indium?+
Where is native indium found?+
How much is native indium worth?+
What rocks look like native indium?+
What minerals are found with native indium?+
What kind of rock does native indium form in?+
What is native indium used for?+
Find native indium on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
