Schreibersite is a rare nickel-iron phosphide mineral found almost exclusively in iron meteorites. It typically appears as metallic, brass-yellow to tin-white inclusions or acicular needles embedded within the Widmanstätten patterns of meteoritic iron.
Is this schreibersite?
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 schreibersite with a known reference. Schreibersite sits at Mohs 6.5-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Schreibersite leaves a grey-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Schreibersite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brass-yellow, silver-white, tin-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: acicular crystals, platey aggregates, grains, massive.
Often confused with
Schreibersite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Schreibersite leaves grey-black, Pyrite leaves greenish-black to brownish-black.
How to tell apart: Schreibersite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs — Schreibersite leaves grey-black, Chalcopyrite leaves greenish-black.
How to tell apart: Schreibersite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs — Schreibersite leaves grey-black, Pentlandite leaves light bronze-brown.
Often found alongside schreibersite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schreibersite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe,Ni)₃P
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 7.0-7.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- Grey-black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Platey Aggregates, Grains, Massive
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Meteoritic Research
- Host rock
- Iron Meteorites
- Typical price
- $20-200 depending on specimen size and association with meteoritic iron
Where rockhounds find schreibersite
Classic worldwide localities
- Campo del Cielo, Argentina
- Toluca, Mexico
- Canyon Diablo, USA
- Sikhote-Alin, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in iron meteorites country — that is the host setting where schreibersite typically forms. If you start seeing kamacite, taenite, troilite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, platey aggregates, grains, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify schreibersite?+
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How much is schreibersite worth?+
What rocks look like schreibersite?+
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Find schreibersite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
