Native nickel is an extremely rare terrestrial mineral that typically occurs as microscopic inclusions or grains within ultramafic rocks or as a primary component in iron-nickel meteorites. Collectors should look for a heavy, metallic silver-white mineral associated with serpentinization, though verifiable terrestrial specimens are highly sought after and difficult to obtain.
Is this native nickel?
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 nickel with a known reference. Native Nickel sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Native Nickel leaves a metallic gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Native Nickel typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: rarely as distinct crystals, usually as grains, plates, or skeletal inclusions.
Often confused with
Native Nickel vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside native nickel
Minerals reported to co-occur with native nickel. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ni
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 8.8-8.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Metallic Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Rarely as Distinct Crystals, Usually as Grains, Plates, Or Skeletal Inclusions
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Rocks and Meteorites
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and rarity
Where rockhounds find native nickel
Classic worldwide localities
- New Caledonia
- Russia
- Canada
- USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic rocks and meteorites country — that is the host setting where native nickel typically forms. If you start seeing magnetite, chromite, serpentine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rarely as distinct crystals, usually as grains, plates, or skeletal inclusions habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find native nickel on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
