Nickelphosphide is an extremely rare iron-nickel phosphide mineral found almost exclusively as a component of meteoritic material. It typically appears as microscopic grains or intergrowths within the metallic structure of iron meteorites, making it a target for serious meteorite collectors and researchers.
Is this nickelphosphide?
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 nickelphosphide with a known reference. Nickelphosphide sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nickelphosphide leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nickelphosphide typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, silver-white, yellowish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: granular, massive, as microscopic inclusions.
Often confused with
Nickelphosphide vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside nickelphosphide
Minerals reported to co-occur with nickelphosphide. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ni₃P
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 7.5-7.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Granular, Massive, As Microscopic Inclusions
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Iron Meteorites
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and rarity of the associated meteorite.
Where rockhounds find nickelphosphide
Classic worldwide localities
- Sikhote-Alin meteorite (Russia)
- various iron meteorites
Field-hunting tip
Look in iron meteorites country, the host setting where nickelphosphide typically forms. If you start seeing schreibersite, kamacite, taenite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular, massive, as microscopic inclusions habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nickelphosphide?+
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Find nickelphosphide on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
