Native Rhodium is an exceptionally rare member of the platinum group metals, almost always found as minute, silver-white grains or nuggets in placer deposits. Because it is highly resistant to corrosion and does not tarnish, it retains a brilliant metallic luster even after long periods of exposure in stream beds. Collectors usually seek it in micro-mounts or as an extremely rare component in platiniferous ore samples.
Is this native rhodium?
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 rhodium with a known reference. Native Rhodium sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Native Rhodium leaves a silver-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Native Rhodium typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white, grayish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: isometric. Typical habit: grains, small nuggets, rarely cubic crystals.
Often confused with
Native Rhodium vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Native Rhodium is noticeably harder (Mohs 6 vs. 4-4.5); streak differs — Native Rhodium leaves silver-white, Platinum leaves steel-gray.
How to tell apart: Native Rhodium is noticeably harder (Mohs 6 vs. 4.75-5).
Often found alongside native rhodium
Minerals reported to co-occur with native rhodium. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Rh
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 12.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- Silver-white
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Isometric
- Crystal habit
- Grains, Small Nuggets, Rarely Cubic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Igneous Rocks, Alluvial Placer Deposits
- Typical price
- $500-5000+ per gram (rare collector specimens)
Where rockhounds find native rhodium
Classic worldwide localities
- Ural Mountains (Russia)
- Witwatersrand Basin (South Africa)
- Choco District (Colombia)
- Tulameen River (Canada)
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic igneous rocks, alluvial placer deposits country — that is the host setting where native rhodium typically forms. If you start seeing platinum, chromite, olivine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a grains, small nuggets, rarely cubic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find native rhodium on the map
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