Native silicon is an incredibly rare mineral that occurs as small, metallic-grey grains or aggregates. It is predominantly found in unique geological environments such as deep-seated volcanic vents or certain gold-bearing deposits, appearing significantly different from man-made industrial silicon.
Is this native silicon?
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 silicon with a known reference. Native Silicon sits at Mohs 7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Native Silicon leaves a grey streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Native Silicon typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, blue-gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: grains, massive, rarely micro-crystalline.
Often confused with
Native Silicon vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside native silicon
Minerals reported to co-occur with native silicon. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Si
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 2.33 g/cm³
- Streak
- Grey
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Grains, Massive, Rarely Micro-crystalline
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Volcanic Exhalations
- Typical price
- $50-500 per specimen
Where rockhounds find native silicon
Classic worldwide localities
- Russia
- USA
- Papua New Guinea
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, volcanic exhalations country, the host setting where native silicon typically forms. If you start seeing gold, magnetite, chromite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a grains, massive, rarely micro-crystalline habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find native silicon on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
