Cherepanovite is an extremely rare rhodium arsenide typically found as microscopic inclusions within platinum-group mineral assemblages. It is usually identified through reflected light microscopy or electron microprobe analysis, appearing as small, pinkish-white metallic grains in ultramafic complexes.
Is this cherepanovite?
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 cherepanovite with a known reference. Cherepanovite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: grayish black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: grayish black, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, disseminated inclusions.
Often confused with
Cherepanovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cherepanovite leaves grayish black, Sperrylite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Cherepanovite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6 vs. 4-5); streak differs, so Cherepanovite leaves grayish black, Cooperite leaves black.
Often found alongside cherepanovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cherepanovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- RhAs
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 9.72 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Grayish black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains, disseminated inclusions
- Cleavage
- One distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a placer with other platinum group element minerals derived from an ultramafic massif in an ophiolite belt (Northern Pekul’nei River, Russia)
Where rockhounds find cherepanovite
Classic worldwide localities
- A placer of the Northern Pekul’nei River, Pekul’nei Range, eastern Chukot Peninsula (type locality), Russia
- A placer in the Upper Miask River, Ural Mountains, Russia
- Ray-Iz ophiolite complex, Polar Ural Mountains, Russia
- Onverwacht pipe, in the Merensky Reef, Bushveld complex, Transvaal, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a placer with other platinum group element minerals derived from an ultramafic massif in an ophiolite belt (Northern Pekul’nei River, Russia). If you start seeing isoferroplatinum, tetraferroplatinum, ferronickelplatinum in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, disseminated inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify cherepanovite?+
Where is cherepanovite found?+
Is cherepanovite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like cherepanovite?+
What minerals are found with cherepanovite?+
What kind of rock does cherepanovite form in?+
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Find cherepanovite on the map
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