Zuktamrurite is a rare iron phosphide that forms white with a bluish tint grains. It occurs in a phosphide assemblage related to the Fe-Ni-P system in pyrometamorphic rocks (Hatrurim Formation). It is associated with negevite and halamishite. It was first described from the Halamish Wadi, Hatrurim Basin, southern Negev Desert, Israel, Jordan.
Is this zuktamrurite?
4-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 zuktamrurite with a known reference. Zuktamrurite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel-gray, silver-white.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: grains.
Often confused with
Zuktamrurite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside zuktamrurite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zuktamrurite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeP₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 5.003 g/cm³
- Colors
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a phosphide assemblage related to the Fe-Ni-P system in pyrometamorphic rocks (Hatrurim Formation)
Where rockhounds find zuktamrurite
Classic worldwide localities
- Halamish Wadi, Hatrurim Basin, southern Negev Desert, Israel and in a quarry in the Daba-Siwaqa complex, Transjordan Plateau, Al-Rasas Sub-District, 80 km south southeast of Amman, Jordan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a phosphide assemblage related to the Fe-Ni-P system in pyrometamorphic rocks (Hatrurim Formation). If you start seeing negevite, halamishite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zuktamrurite?+
Where is zuktamrurite found?+
What rocks look like zuktamrurite?+
What minerals are found with zuktamrurite?+
What kind of rock does zuktamrurite form in?+
What is zuktamrurite used for?+
Find zuktamrurite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
