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. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: iron black, reddish brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic crystals.
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
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains, microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- Volcanic exhalations and minor inclusions in gold and other mantle-derived rocks
Where rockhounds find native silicon
Classic worldwide localities
- Tolbachik, Kamchatka (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Volcanic exhalations and minor inclusions in gold and other mantle-derived rocks. If you start seeing gold, magnetite, chromite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify native silicon?+
Where is native silicon found?+
What rocks look like native silicon?+
What minerals are found with native silicon?+
What kind of rock does native silicon form in?+
What is native silicon used for?+
Find native silicon on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
