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 — Oregonite leaves grayish black, Maucherite leaves greyish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Oregonite leaves grayish black, Nickeline leaves brownish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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
- 8.8-9.0 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
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
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 — that is 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?+
How much is oregonite worth?+
Is oregonite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like oregonite?+
What minerals are found with oregonite?+
What kind of rock does oregonite form in?+
What is oregonite used for?+
Find oregonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
