Ferhodsite is a rare iron rhodium nickel sulfide, typically white to silver-white. Associated minerals include cooperite, cuproiridsite and bowieite. It was first described from the Nizhniy Tagil, Svetlyi Bor and Veresovyi Bor massifs, Ural Mountains, Russia.
Is this ferhodsite?
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 ferhodsite with a known reference. Ferhodsite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ferhodsite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ferhodsite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Ferhodsite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside ferhodsite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ferhodsite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe,Rh,Ni,Ir,Cu,Co,Pt)₉₋ₓS₈
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 7.186 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- Well-developed On {111}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
Where rockhounds find ferhodsite
Classic worldwide localities
- Nizhniy Tagil, Ural Mountains, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where ferhodsite typically forms. If you start seeing cobaltite, skutterudite, erythrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ferhodsite?+
Where is ferhodsite found?+
Is ferhodsite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like ferhodsite?+
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Find ferhodsite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
