Violarite is a distinctive nickel-iron sulfide typically formed by the supergene alteration of pentlandite in nickel deposits. It is best identified by its characteristic violet-gray metallic luster and its common association with other nickel-bearing sulfides.
Is this violarite?
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 violarite with a known reference. Violarite sits at Mohs 4.5-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: violet gray, copper red, light gray, steel gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: nodular.
Often confused with
Violarite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Violarite leaves black, Pentlandite leaves pale bronze-brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Violarite leaves black, Linnaeite leaves grayish black.
How to tell apart: Violarite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5-5.5 vs. 3-3.5); streak differs, so Violarite leaves black, Millerite leaves greenish black.
Often found alongside violarite
Minerals reported to co-occur with violarite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeNi₂S₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5.5
- Density
- 4.5-4.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Nodular
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of nickel
- Host rock
- Of hydrothermal origin, with other sulfides
Where rockhounds find violarite
Classic worldwide localities
- Friday mine, Julian, San Diego Co., California, USA
- Key West mine, Clark Co., Nevada, USA
- Copper King mine, Gold Hill district, Boulder Co., Colorado, USA
- Lick Fork deposit, Floyd Co., Virginia, USA
- Vermilion, Levack, and Worthington mines, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
- Marbridge mine, Malartic, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Of hydrothermal origin, with other sulfides. If you start seeing pyrrhotite, millerite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: nodular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find violarite on the map
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