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. Streak: dark gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: brilliant metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brass yellow, bronze, brown, silver 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, so Schreibersite leaves dark gray, Pyrite leaves greenish black to brownish black; luster reads brilliant metallic on Schreibersite and metallic, splendent on Pyrite.
How to tell apart: Schreibersite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs, so Schreibersite leaves dark gray, Chalcopyrite leaves greenish black; luster reads brilliant metallic on Schreibersite and metallic on Chalcopyrite.
How to tell apart: Schreibersite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs, so Schreibersite leaves dark gray, Pentlandite leaves pale bronze-brown; luster reads brilliant metallic on Schreibersite and metallic on Pentlandite.
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
- Dark gray
- Luster
- Brilliant metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Acicular crystals, platey aggregates, grains, massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}; another, prismatic, on {010} or {110}, imperfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Meteoritic research
- Host rock
- In nearly all iron meteorites, but lacking in those which are nickel deficient; rare in stony meteorites
Where rockhounds find schreibersite
Classic worldwide localities
- Disko Island, near Kitdlı̂t, Greenland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In nearly all iron meteorites, but lacking in those which are nickel deficient; rare in stony meteorites. If you start seeing kamacite, tetrataenite, iron in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular crystals, platey aggregates, grains, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify schreibersite?+
Where is schreibersite found?+
Is schreibersite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like schreibersite?+
What minerals are found with schreibersite?+
What kind of rock does schreibersite form in?+
What is schreibersite used for?+
Find schreibersite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
