Samaniite is a rare copper-iron-nickel sulfide mineral found primarily in ultramafic rocks. It typically occurs as small inclusions or grains within other sulfide minerals like pentlandite and chalcopyrite, making it difficult to identify without laboratory analysis.
Is this samaniite?
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 samaniite with a known reference. Samaniite 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. Samaniite leaves a bronze-brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Samaniite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bronze, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Samaniite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside samaniite
Minerals reported to co-occur with samaniite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₂Fe₅Ni₄S₈
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Bronze-brown
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Rocks
- Typical price
- n/a
Where rockhounds find samaniite
Classic worldwide localities
- Samani complex, Hokkaido, Japan
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic rocks country — that is the host setting where samaniite typically forms. If you start seeing pentlandite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find samaniite on the map
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