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 — that is 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.
