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. Nickelskutterudite leaves a grey-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nickelskutterudite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: tin-white, silver-white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or well-formed cubic and octahedral crystals.
Often confused with
Nickelskutterudite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Nickelskutterudite leaves grey-black, Skutterudite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Nickelskutterudite leaves grey-black, Cobaltite leaves greyish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Nickelskutterudite leaves grey-black, Arsenopyrite leaves black.
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
- (Ni,Co,Fe)As₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 6.4-6.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Grey-black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or Well-formed Cubic and Octahedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {111}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Nickel
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $20-150 for display specimens
Where rockhounds find nickelskutterudite
Classic worldwide localities
- Skutterud, Norway
- Cobalt, Ontario, Canada
- Bou Azzer, Morocco
- Schneeberg, Germany
- Jáchymov, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where nickelskutterudite typically forms. If you start seeing nickel-arsenides, silver, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or well-formed cubic and octahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nickelskutterudite?+
Where is nickelskutterudite found?+
How much is nickelskutterudite worth?+
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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