Perryite is a rare phosphide mineral found exclusively in iron meteorites. It typically occurs as small, bronze-colored metallic grains intergrown with other nickel-iron meteoritic minerals.

Hardness

4-5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Perryite

Perryite is a rare phosphide mineral found exclusively in iron meteorites. It typically occurs as small, bronze-colored metallic grains intergrown with other nickel-iron meteoritic minerals.

Hardness: 4-5
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

Is this perryite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch perryite with a known reference. Perryite sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Perryite leaves a black streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Perryite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: bronze, yellow-brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains, massive, interstitial.

Often confused with

Perryite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Schreibersite

Mohs 6.5-7

How to tell apart: Schreibersite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 4-5); streak differs, so Perryite leaves black, Schreibersite leaves grey-black.

Often found alongside perryite

Minerals reported to co-occur with perryite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: (Ni,Fe)₈(Si,P)₃
Mohs hardness: 4-5
Density: 7.05 g/cm³
Colors: Bronze Yellow-brown
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Anhedral Grains, Massive, Interstitial
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Iron Meteorites
Typical price: Very high, generally only available in meteorite study collections.

Where rockhounds find perryite

Classic worldwide localities

Perry Station, Tennessee, USA
Various iron meteorites

Field-hunting tip

Look in iron meteorites country, the host setting where perryite typically forms. If you start seeing kamacite, taenite, schreibersite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, massive, interstitial habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify perryite?+

Mohs hardness is 4-5. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is black. Common colors include bronze, yellow-brown.

Where is perryite found?+

Notable localities include Perry Station, Tennessee, USA; Various iron meteorites.

How much is perryite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of Very high, generally only available in meteorite study collections.. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like perryite?+

Perryite is most often confused with Schreibersite, Troilite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with perryite?+

Perryite commonly co-occurs with Kamacite, Taenite, Schreibersite, Troilite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does perryite form in?+

Perryite typically forms in iron meteorites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is perryite used for?+

Perryite is used in collector.

Find perryite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.