RockHoundR

Polekhovskyite is a rare molybdenum nickel mineral that forms bluish gray color euhedral crystals. It occurs in phosphide assemblages in severely altered, diopside microbreccia in pyrometamorphic rocks. Associated minerals include murashkoite, transjordanite and hematite. It was first described from Halamish wadi, southern part of the Hatrurim Formation, Negev Desert, Israel.

Hardness
5-6
Mohs
Luster
Metallic
Transparency
Opaque

Is this polekhovskyite?

4-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 polekhovskyite with a known reference. Polekhovskyite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
  • 2
    Read the luster
    Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
  • 3
    Match the color range
    Compare against the expected color range: white, gray.
  • 4
    Look at form & habit
    Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: euhedral crystals.

Often confused with

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

Barringerite mineral
mineral
Barringerite
Mohs >7

How to tell apart: Barringerite is the harder of the two (Mohs >7 vs. 5-6).

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Schreibersite mineral
mineral
Schreibersite
Mohs 6.5-7

How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Polekhovskyite and brilliant metallic on Schreibersite.

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All properties

Chemical formula
MoNiP₂
Mohs hardness
5-6
Density
6.626 g/cm³
Colors
WhiteGray
Luster
Metallic
Transparency
Opaque
Crystal system
Hexagonal
Crystal habit
Euhedral crystals
Rarity
Rare
Uses
Scientific research
Host rock
pyrometamorphic rocks

Where rockhounds find polekhovskyite

Classic worldwide localities

  • Dead Sea region, Israel

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: pyrometamorphic rocks. If you start seeing negev desert, israel in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: euhedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify polekhovskyite?+
Mohs hardness is 5-6. Luster: metallic. Common colors include white, gray.
Where is polekhovskyite found?+
Notable localities include Dead Sea region, Israel.
Is polekhovskyite safe to handle?+
Polekhovskyite contains nickel. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.
What rocks look like polekhovskyite?+
Polekhovskyite is most often confused with Barringerite, Schreibersite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.
What minerals are found with polekhovskyite?+
Polekhovskyite commonly co-occurs with Negev Desert, Israel. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.
What kind of rock does polekhovskyite form in?+
Where it forms: pyrometamorphic rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.
What is polekhovskyite used for?+
Polekhovskyite is used in scientific research.

Find polekhovskyite on the map

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