Oregonite is a rare nickel-iron arsenide mineral typically found as small grains within serpentinized peridotites. It is best identified through laboratory methods like X-ray diffraction or electron microprobe analysis, as it closely resembles other silver-white metallic minerals.
Is this oregonite?
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 oregonite with a known reference. Oregonite sits at Mohs 4.5-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Oregonite leaves a grayish black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Oregonite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, pale metallic yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: massive, granular, or as rounded grains.
Often confused with
Oregonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Oregonite leaves grayish black, Maucherite leaves blackish gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Oregonite leaves grayish black, Nickeline leaves brownish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Oregonite leaves grayish black, Skutterudite leaves black.
Often found alongside oregonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with oregonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ni₂FeAs₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5
- Density
- 6.92 g/cm³
- Streak
- Grayish Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or as Rounded Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Serpentinized Ultramafic Rocks
Where rockhounds find oregonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Josephine Creek, Josephine County, Oregon, USA
- Sierra de Ronda, Spain
- Kempir-Sai, Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in serpentinized ultramafic rocks country, the host setting where oregonite typically forms. If you start seeing serpentine, chromite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or as rounded grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify oregonite?+
Where is oregonite found?+
Is oregonite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like oregonite?+
What minerals are found with oregonite?+
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Find oregonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
