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, 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.
