Uakitite is an extremely rare vanadium nitride mineral discovered within the Uakit iron meteorite. It occurs as microscopic inclusions and is notable for being a cubic polymorph of vanadium nitride, typically found alongside iron-nickel alloys in extraterrestrial material.

Hardness

null

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Null

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareMononitride Group family

Uakitite

Hardness: null
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Null
Transparency: Opaque

Is this uakitite?

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 uakitite with a known reference. Uakitite sits at Mohs null — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Uakitite leaves a null streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Uakitite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: gray, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: microscopic inclusions.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Uakitite leaves null, Osbornite leaves gold-yellow.

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Uakitite leaves null, Nierite leaves white.

Compare →

Often found alongside uakitite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: VN
Mohs hardness: null
Density: null
Colors: Gray White
Streak: Null
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Microscopic Inclusions
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Iron Meteorites
Typical price: n/a

Where rockhounds find uakitite

Classic worldwide localities

Uakit meteorite, Buryatia, Russia

Field-hunting tip

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

Common questions

How do you identify uakitite?+

Mohs hardness is null. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is null. Common colors include gray, white.

Where is uakitite found?+

Notable localities include Uakit meteorite, Buryatia, Russia.

How much is uakitite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of n/a. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like uakitite?+

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

What minerals are found with uakitite?+

Uakitite commonly co-occurs with kamacite, taenite, schreibersite, troilite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does uakitite form in?+

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

What is uakitite used for?+

Uakitite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find uakitite on the map

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