Ognitite is a rare nickel-iron sulfide mineral that represents a cobalt-rich variety of pentlandite. It typically occurs as granular aggregates within massive sulfide ores associated with serpentinized ultramafic rocks.
Is this ognitite?
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 ognitite with a known reference. Ognitite 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. Ognitite leaves a light bronze-brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ognitite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bronze, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: granular, massive.
Often confused with
Ognitite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Ognitite leaves light bronze-brown, Pyrrhotite leaves dark grey to black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Ognitite leaves light bronze-brown, Troilite leaves black.
Often found alongside ognitite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ognitite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe,Ni,Co)₉S₈
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 4.7-4.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light Bronze-brown
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Granular, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Intrusive Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find ognitite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ognit deposit, Sayan Mountains, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic intrusive rocks country — that is the host setting where ognitite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find ognitite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
