Orthogersdorffite is an orthorhombic dimorph of gersdorffite, often identified through professional mineralogical testing like X-ray diffraction. It typically appears as metallic, steel-gray masses in hydrothermal sulfide deposits alongside other nickel and arsenic minerals. Collectors should handle it with care due to its arsenic content.
Is this orthogersdorffite?
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 orthogersdorffite with a known reference. Orthogersdorffite sits at Mohs 5.5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Orthogersdorffite leaves a gray-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Orthogersdorffite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, steel-gray, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or rarely as pseudocubic crystals.
Often confused with
Orthogersdorffite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Orthogersdorffite leaves gray-black, Gersdorffite leaves grayish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Orthogersdorffite leaves gray-black, Arsenopyrite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Orthogersdorffite leaves gray-black, Cobaltite leaves greyish-black.
Often found alongside orthogersdorffite
Minerals reported to co-occur with orthogersdorffite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NiAsS
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 6.0-6.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- Gray-black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or Rarely as Pseudocubic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $20-150 per specimen
Where rockhounds find orthogersdorffite
Classic worldwide localities
- Gersdorff, Germany
- Schladming, Austria
- Cobalt, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where orthogersdorffite typically forms. If you start seeing nickeline, cobaltite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or rarely as pseudocubic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify orthogersdorffite?+
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Find orthogersdorffite on the map
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