Chenmingite is a very rare iron-chromium oxide mineral discovered within the Chenming iron meteorite in China. It occurs as microscopic grains associated with other metallic meteoritic phases and shares a structure related to the spinel group, specifically defined by its trigonal symmetry.

Hardness

Mohs

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Chenmingite

Hardness: 6
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this chenmingite?

2-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 chenmingite with a known reference. Chenmingite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: granular.

Often confused with

Chenmingite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside chenmingite

Minerals reported to co-occur with chenmingite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: FeCr₂O₄
Mohs hardness: 6
Density: 5.27 g/cm³
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Granular
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific research
Host rock: Formed by solid-state transformation of precursor chromite, near shock-induced melt pockets, under high pressure and high temperature during the Tissint impact event on Mars

Where rockhounds find chenmingite

Classic worldwide localities

Tissint martian meteorite, an olivine-phyric shergottite

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Formed by solid-state transformation of precursor chromite, near shock-induced melt pockets, under high pressure and high temperature during the Tissint impact event on Mars. If you start seeing chromite, xieite, cr-rich ulvöspinel in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify chenmingite?+

Mohs hardness is 6.

Where is chenmingite found?+

Notable localities include Tissint martian meteorite, an olivine-phyric shergottite.

What rocks look like chenmingite?+

Chenmingite is most often confused with Chromite, Magnetite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with chenmingite?+

Chenmingite commonly co-occurs with Chromite, Xieite, Cr-rich ulvöspinel. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does chenmingite form in?+

Where it forms: Formed by solid-state transformation of precursor chromite, near shock-induced melt pockets, under high pressure and high temperature during the Tissint impact event on Mars. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is chenmingite used for?+

Chenmingite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find chenmingite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.