Niggliite is a very rare platinum-tin telluride mineral that typically occurs as microscopic inclusions within other platinum-group minerals. Due to its scarcity and small grain size, it is almost exclusively identified through micro-analytical techniques like electron microprobe analysis rather than macroscopic observation.
Is this niggliite?
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 niggliite with a known reference. Niggliite sits at Mohs 1.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Niggliite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Niggliite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains, inclusions in platinum-group minerals.
Often confused with
Niggliite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Sperrylite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 1.5).
How to tell apart: Platinum is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-4.5 vs. 1.5); streak differs — Niggliite leaves black, Platinum leaves steel-gray.
How to tell apart: Cooperite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5 vs. 1.5).
Often found alongside niggliite
Minerals reported to co-occur with niggliite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PtSn
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5
- Density
- 11.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Inclusions in Platinum-group Minerals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Igneous Rocks and Sulfide Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 per specimen
Where rockhounds find niggliite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bushveld Complex, South Africa
- Stillwater Complex, USA
- Norilsk, Russia
- Sudbury Basin, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic igneous rocks and sulfide deposits country — that is the host setting where niggliite typically forms. If you start seeing platinum, chalcopyrite, pentlandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, inclusions in platinum-group minerals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find niggliite on the map
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