Taenite is a nickel-iron alloy found almost exclusively in iron meteorites. It forms the finer components of the Widmanstätten pattern when intergrown with kamacite and is characterized by its high nickel content, which grants it higher resistance to chemical etching than its counterpart.

Hardness

5-5.5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Gray

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareNickel-Iron Group family

Taenite

Hardness: 5-5.5
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Gray
Transparency: Opaque

Is this taenite?

5-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 taenite with a known reference. Taenite sits at Mohs 5-5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Taenite leaves a gray streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Taenite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: silver-white, gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: isometric. Typical habit: massive, granular, or interstitial filling in meteorites.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Schreibersite

Mohs 6.5-7

How to tell apart: Schreibersite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 5-5.5); streak differs — Taenite leaves gray, Schreibersite leaves grey-black.

Compare →

Often found alongside taenite

Minerals reported to co-occur with taenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: FeNi
Mohs hardness: 5-5.5
Density: 8.0-8.2 g/cm³
Colors: Silver-white Gray
Streak: Gray
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Isometric
Crystal habit: Massive, Granular, Or Interstitial Filling in Meteorites
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Iron Meteorites
Typical price: $50-500 depending on specimen size and provenance

Where rockhounds find taenite

Classic worldwide localities

Muonionalusta (Sweden)
Campo del Cielo (Argentina)
Gibeon (Namibia)
Henbury (Australia)
Canyon Diablo (USA)

Field-hunting tip

Look in iron meteorites country — that is the host setting where taenite typically forms. If you start seeing kamacite, troilite, schreibersite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or interstitial filling in meteorites habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify taenite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-5.5. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is gray. Common colors include silver-white, gray.

Where is taenite found?+

Notable localities include Muonionalusta (Sweden); Campo del Cielo (Argentina); Gibeon (Namibia); Henbury (Australia); Canyon Diablo (USA).

How much is taenite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-500 depending on specimen size and provenance. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like taenite?+

Taenite is most often confused with Schreibersite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with taenite?+

Taenite commonly co-occurs with Kamacite, Troilite, Schreibersite, Taenite-Kamacite intergrowths. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does taenite form in?+

Taenite typically forms in iron meteorites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is taenite used for?+

Taenite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find taenite on the map

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