Transjordanite is a rare nickel phosphide, grayish white with a bright metallic luster. It occurs as irregular grains in a pyrometamorphic phosphide assemblage between calcined sediments, and has also been found in the Cambria iron meteorite. It was first described from the Daba-Siwaqa complex, Transjordan Plateau, Jordan.
Is this transjordanite?
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 transjordanite with a known reference. Transjordanite sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: bright metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: grayish white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: irregular grains to 0.2 mm.
Often confused with
Transjordanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Jasper is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 4-5); streak differs, so Transjordanite leaves gray, Jasper leaves white; luster reads bright metallic on Transjordanite and waxy on Jasper.
How to tell apart: Chert is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 4-5); streak differs, so Transjordanite leaves gray, Chert leaves white; luster reads bright metallic on Transjordanite and waxy on Chert.
How to tell apart: Carnelian is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 4-5); streak differs, so Transjordanite leaves gray, Carnelian leaves white; luster reads bright metallic on Transjordanite and vitreous to waxy on Carnelian.
Often found alongside transjordanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with transjordanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ni₂P
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 7.30 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Bright metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Irregular grains to 0.2 mm
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary
- Host rock
- In a pyrometamorphic phosphide assemblage commonly confined to the interstices between calcined, unmelted sediments and paralavas (Daba-Siwaqa complex)
Where rockhounds find transjordanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Daba-Siwaqa complex, Transjordan Plateau, Jordan
- Cambria meteorite (iron ungrouped, fine octahedrite)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a pyrometamorphic phosphide assemblage commonly confined to the interstices between calcined, unmelted sediments and paralavas (Daba-Siwaqa complex). If you start seeing murashkoite, zuktamrurite, negevite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular grains to 0.2 mm. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify transjordanite?+
Where is transjordanite found?+
Is transjordanite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like transjordanite?+
What minerals are found with transjordanite?+
What kind of rock does transjordanite form in?+
What is transjordanite used for?+
Find transjordanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
