Native Ruthenium is an extremely rare metallic element that typically occurs as tiny, rounded grains within platinum-group metal placers. It is chemically inert and is usually identified via advanced analytical techniques like electron microprobe analysis rather than visual inspection. Collectors prize it for its extreme rarity as a native element.
Is this native ruthenium?
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 ruthenium with a known reference. Native Ruthenium sits at Mohs 6.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Native Ruthenium leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Native Ruthenium typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, silver-white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: grains.
Often confused with
Native Ruthenium vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside native ruthenium
Minerals reported to co-occur with native ruthenium. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ru
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 12.3-12.4 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Alluvial Deposits and Ultramafic Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $500-5000+ per specimen
Where rockhounds find native ruthenium
Classic worldwide localities
- Urals, Russia
- Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa
- Choco, Colombia
- Goodnews Bay, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in alluvial deposits and ultramafic igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where native ruthenium typically forms. If you start seeing platinum, chromite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find native ruthenium on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
