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.

Hardness

6.5-7

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Nickelphosphide

Hardness: 6.5-7
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

Is this nickelphosphide?

5-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 nickelphosphide with a known reference. Nickelphosphide sits at Mohs 6.5-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pinkish white, yellowish white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: euhedral crystals, microscopic crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Schreibersite

Mohs 6.5-7

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nickelphosphide leaves black, Schreibersite leaves dark gray; luster reads metallic on Nickelphosphide and brilliant metallic on Schreibersite.

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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: 6.5-7
Density: 7.61 g/cm³
Colors: Pinkish white Yellowish white
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Euhedral crystals, microscopic crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In meteorites

Where rockhounds find nickelphosphide

Classic worldwide localities

Found in the Butler iron meteorite, Bates County, Missouri, U.S.A., which fell in 1874, and a number of other iron meteorites (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In meteorites. If you start seeing kamacite, taenite, carlsbergite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: euhedral crystals, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify nickelphosphide?+

Mohs hardness is 6.5-7. Luster: metallic. The streak is black. Common colors include pinkish white, yellowish white.

Where is nickelphosphide found?+

Notable localities include Found in the Butler iron meteorite, Bates County, Missouri, U.S.A., which fell in 1874, and a number of other iron meteorites (type locality).

Is nickelphosphide safe to handle?+

Nickelphosphide contains nickel. Contains nickel, which may cause allergic skin reactions or respiratory irritation; handle with caution to avoid dust inhalation.

What rocks look like nickelphosphide?+

Nickelphosphide is most often confused with Schreibersite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with nickelphosphide?+

Nickelphosphide commonly co-occurs with Kamacite, Taenite, Carlsbergite, Schreibersite, Barringerite, Allabogdanite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does nickelphosphide form in?+

Where it forms: In meteorites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is nickelphosphide used for?+

Nickelphosphide is used in collector.

Find nickelphosphide on the map

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