Nixonite is an exceptionally rare titanium sulfide mineral primarily known from its type locality at the Nixon Fork Mine in Alaska. It typically occurs as microscopic grains within skarn deposits, making it a challenging species for amateur collectors to identify without advanced analytical techniques.
Is this nixonite?
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 nixonite with a known reference. Nixonite sits at Mohs 4-4.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nixonite leaves a brownish black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nixonite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive, granular.
Often confused with
Nixonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Nixonite leaves brownish black, Manaccanite leaves black; luster reads metallic on Nixonite and submetallic on Manaccanite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Nixonite leaves brownish black, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads metallic on Nixonite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
Often found alongside nixonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nixonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ti₂S
- Mohs hardness
- 4-4.5
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brownish Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Skarn Deposits
- Typical price
- n/a
Where rockhounds find nixonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Nixon Fork Mine, Alaska, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in skarn deposits country — that is the host setting where nixonite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrite, chalcopyrite, gold in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find nixonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
