Niningerite is a rare magnesium-iron sulfide mineral found almost exclusively in enstatite chondrite meteorites. It typically occurs as small, interstitial grains within the meteorite matrix and is highly sensitive to terrestrial weathering, making it difficult to find in pristine condition.
Is this niningerite?
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 niningerite with a known reference. Niningerite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Niningerite leaves a brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Niningerite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown, black, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive, anhedral grains, interstitial.
Often confused with
Niningerite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Niningerite leaves brown, Alabandite leaves dark green to olive-green; luster reads metallic on Niningerite and submetallic to dull on Alabandite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Niningerite leaves brown, Troilite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Niningerite leaves brown, Sphalerite leaves white to yellow-brown; luster reads metallic on Niningerite and resinous to submetallic on Sphalerite.
Often found alongside niningerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with niningerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mg,Fe,Mn)S
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Anhedral Grains, Interstitial
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Scientific Research, Meteorite Study
- Host rock
- Enstatite Chondrite Meteorites
- Typical price
- not available for retail purchase; held in institutional collections
Where rockhounds find niningerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Adhi Kot meteorite (Pakistan)
- Pantar meteorite (Philippines)
- St. Marks meteorite (South Africa)
- Norton County meteorite (USA)
Field-hunting tip
Look in enstatite chondrite meteorites country — that is the host setting where niningerite typically forms. If you start seeing enstatite, kamacite, troilite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, anhedral grains, interstitial habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify niningerite?+
Where is niningerite found?+
How much is niningerite worth?+
What rocks look like niningerite?+
What minerals are found with niningerite?+
What kind of rock does niningerite form in?+
What is niningerite used for?+
Find niningerite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
