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, so 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, 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
How do you identify niggliite?+
Where is niggliite found?+
How much is niggliite worth?+
Is niggliite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like niggliite?+
What minerals are found with niggliite?+
What kind of rock does niggliite form in?+
What is niggliite used for?+
Find niggliite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
