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.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrarePentlandite Group family

Samaniite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this samaniite?

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 samaniite with a known reference. Samaniite sits at Mohs 3, 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: bronze, yellow.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. 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: Cu₂Fe₅Ni₂S₈
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 4.89 g/cm³
Colors: Bronze Yellow
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Anhedral grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Filling space between silicate minerals in lherzolites of a peridotite massif

Where rockhounds find samaniite

Classic worldwide localities

Horoman peridotite massif, Samani-cho, Samani-gun, Hokkaido, Japan

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Filling space between silicate minerals in lherzolites of a peridotite massif. If you start seeing bornite, talnakhite, copper in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify samaniite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. Luster: metallic. Common colors include bronze, yellow.

Where is samaniite found?+

Notable localities include Horoman peridotite massif, Samani-cho, Samani-gun, Hokkaido, Japan.

Is samaniite safe to handle?+

Samaniite contains copper and nickel. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like samaniite?+

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

What minerals are found with samaniite?+

Samaniite commonly co-occurs with Bornite, Talnakhite, Copper, Troilite, Heazlewoodite, Pentlandite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does samaniite form in?+

Where it forms: Filling space between silicate minerals in lherzolites of a peridotite massif. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is samaniite used for?+

Samaniite is used in collector.

Find samaniite on the map

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