Osarsite is a rare platinum-group mineral typically occurring as microscopic inclusions within chromite deposits. It is recognized by its metallic luster and is usually identified via electron microprobe analysis rather than visual inspection in the field due to its minuscule size.
Is this osarsite?
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 osarsite with a known reference. Osarsite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Osarsite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Osarsite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: small grains or subhedral crystals.
Often confused with
Osarsite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside osarsite
Minerals reported to co-occur with osarsite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Os,Ru)AsS
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 11.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Small Grains or Subhedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Rocks and Ophiolite Complexes
- Typical price
- $100-500 per specimen depending on size and matrix
Where rockhounds find osarsite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khrustalnaya mine, Ural Mountains, Russia
- Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA
- Bushveld Complex, South Africa
- New Rambler Mine, Wyoming, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic rocks and ophiolite complexes country — that is the host setting where osarsite typically forms. If you start seeing laurite, chromite, platinum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a small grains or subhedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find osarsite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
