Negevite is a nickel phosphide that forms white with a bluish tint irregular grains. It occurs in a phosphide assemblage related to the Fe-Ni-P system in a pyrometamorphic complex (Hatrurim Formation). Associated minerals include murashkoite, zuktamrurite and transjordanite. It was first described from the upper stream of the Halamish Wadi, Hatrurim Basin, southern Negev Desert, Israel, Jordan.

Hardness

2.5-3.5

Mohs

Transparency

Opaque

mineralcommonSerpentine Group family

Negevite

Hardness: 2.5-3.5
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this negevite?

3-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch negevite with a known reference. Negevite sits at Mohs 2.5-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: green, brown, yellow.
3
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: irregular grains.

Often confused with

Negevite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside negevite

Minerals reported to co-occur with negevite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: NiP₂
Mohs hardness: 2.5-3.5
Density: 4.8865 g/cm³
Colors: Green Brown Yellow
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Irregular grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Collector, Lapidary
Host rock: In a phosphide assemblage related to the Fe-Ni-P system in a pyrometamorphic complex (Hatrurim Formation)

Where rockhounds find negevite

Classic worldwide localities

Upper stream of the Halamish Wadi, Hatrurim Basin, southern Negev Desert, Israel, and the Daba-Siwaqa complex, Um Al-Rasas Sub-District, 80 km SSE of Amman, Jordan

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In a phosphide assemblage related to the Fe-Ni-P system in a pyrometamorphic complex (Hatrurim Formation). If you start seeing murashkoite, zuktamrurite, transjordanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify negevite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5-3.5. Common colors include green, brown, yellow.

Where is negevite found?+

Notable localities include Upper stream of the Halamish Wadi, Hatrurim Basin, southern Negev Desert, Israel, and the Daba-Siwaqa complex, Um Al-Rasas Sub-District, 80 km SSE of Amman, Jordan.

Is negevite safe to handle?+

Negevite contains nickel. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like negevite?+

Negevite is most often confused with Serpentine, Antigorite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with negevite?+

Negevite commonly co-occurs with Murashkoite, Zuktamrurite, Transjordanite, Halamishite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does negevite form in?+

Where it forms: In a phosphide assemblage related to the Fe-Ni-P system in a pyrometamorphic complex (Hatrurim Formation). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is negevite used for?+

Negevite is used in collector, lapidary.

Find negevite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.