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. Violarite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Violarite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: violet-gray, silver-white, metallic-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or as inclusions in other sulfides.
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 light bronze-brown.
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 bright 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
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or as Inclusions in Other Sulfides
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Nickel
- Host rock
- Nickel-sulfide Deposits, Ultramafic Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $20-150 per specimen
Where rockhounds find violarite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kambalda, Australia
- Sudbury, Canada
- Bushveld Complex, South Africa
- Troodos Ophiolite, Cyprus
Field-hunting tip
Look in nickel-sulfide deposits, ultramafic igneous rocks country, the host setting where violarite typically forms. If you start seeing pentlandite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or as inclusions in other sulfides habit, so 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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