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 — 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 — 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 — that is 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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