Orickite is a rare copper-iron sulfide mineral typically found as fine-grained masses rather than distinct crystals. It is primarily identified through mineralogical analysis and is a prized find for advanced mineral collectors seeking rare sulfide species.
Is this orickite?
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 orickite with a known reference. Orickite sits at Mohs ~3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brass yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: fine-grained massive aggregates, microcrystalline.
Often confused with
Orickite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside orickite
Minerals reported to co-occur with orickite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuFeS₂·nH₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~3.5
- Density
- 4.212 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Fine-grained massive aggregates, microcrystalline
- Cleavage
- Good on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In an alkalic mafic diatreme, in small pegmatitic clots thought to have crystallized late in the consolidation of the Coyote Peak intrusive
Where rockhounds find orickite
Classic worldwide localities
- Coyote Peak, near Orick, Humboldt Co., California, USA (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In an alkalic mafic diatreme, in small pegmatitic clots thought to have crystallized late in the consolidation of the Coyote Peak intrusive. If you start seeing djerfisherite, rasvumite, bartonite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: fine-grained massive aggregates, microcrystalline. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify orickite?+
Where is orickite found?+
Is orickite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like orickite?+
What minerals are found with orickite?+
What kind of rock does orickite form in?+
What is orickite used for?+
Find orickite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
