Nickelskutterudite is a metallic arsenide mineral often found in hydrothermal silver-cobalt-nickel vein systems. It typically occurs as massive, granular, or striking cubic crystals that often exhibit a distinct metallic luster and tarnish easily to a dull grey.
Is this nickelskutterudite?
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 nickelskutterudite with a known reference. Nickelskutterudite sits at Mohs 5.5-6, 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: bright metallic on fresh surfaces.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: tin white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: crystalline, granular, massive.
Often confused with
Nickelskutterudite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads bright metallic on fresh surfaces on Nickelskutterudite and metallic on Skutterudite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nickelskutterudite leaves black, Cobaltite leaves grayish black; luster reads bright metallic on fresh surfaces on Nickelskutterudite and metallic on Cobaltite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads bright metallic on fresh surfaces on Nickelskutterudite and metallic on Arsenopyrite.
Often found alongside nickelskutterudite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nickelskutterudite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NiAs₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 6.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Bright metallic on fresh surfaces
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Crystalline, granular, massive
- Cleavage
- Distinct on {001} and {111}, in traces on {011}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of nickel
- Host rock
- In hydrothermal veins deposited at medium temperature
Where rockhounds find nickelskutterudite
Classic worldwide localities
- Black Hawk district, on Bullard Peak, 24 km southwest ofSilver City, Grant Co., New Mexico, from the Rose and Alhambra mines, USA
- O’Brien mine, Cobalt, Ontario, Canada
- Bieber and Riechelsdorf, Hesse, Germany
- St. Andreasberg, Harz Mountains, Germany
- Annaberg and Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany
- Horní Slavkov (Schlaggenwald) and Jáchymov (Joachimsthal), Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In hydrothermal veins deposited at medium temperature. If you start seeing arsenopyrite, silver, bismuth in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crystalline, granular, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nickelskutterudite?+
Where is nickelskutterudite found?+
Is nickelskutterudite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like nickelskutterudite?+
What minerals are found with nickelskutterudite?+
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Find nickelskutterudite on the map
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