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

9-10

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareMononitride Group family

Uakitite

Hardness: 9-10
Luster: Metallic
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

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 9-10, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow.
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, so Uakitite leaves white, Osbornite leaves gold-yellow.

How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Uakitite and adamantine on Nierite.

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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: 9-10
Density: 6.13 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Microscopic inclusions
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific research
Host rock: iron meteorites

Where rockhounds find uakitite

Classic worldwide localities

Uakit meteorite, Buryatia, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: iron meteorites. If you start seeing kamacite, taenite, schreibersite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify uakitite?+

Mohs hardness is 9-10. Luster: metallic. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow.

Where is uakitite found?+

Notable localities include Uakit meteorite, Buryatia, Russia.

Is uakitite safe to handle?+

Uakitite contains vanadium. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

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?+

Where it forms: 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.