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, so 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, 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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