Florenskyite is a extremely rare iron titanium phosphide mineral discovered in the Kaidun meteorite. It occurs as microscopic inclusions within metallic phases and is highly prized by meteorite collectors and researchers for its unique extraterrestrial origin.

Hardness

5-6

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrarePhosphide Mineral Group family

Florenskyite

Hardness: 5-6
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this florenskyite?

4-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 florenskyite with a known reference. Florenskyite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: cream white.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: inclusions, microscopic crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Schreibersite

Mohs 6.5-7

How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Florenskyite and brilliant metallic on Schreibersite.

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Often found alongside florenskyite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: FeTiP
Mohs hardness: 5-6
Density: 6.12 g/cm³
Colors: Cream white
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Inclusions, microscopic crystals
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Inclusion in serpentine in a carbonaceous, enstatitic, and Rumaruti type chondrodite meteorite

Where rockhounds find florenskyite

Classic worldwide localities

Kaidum chondritic meteorite, which fell in South Yemen in 1980 (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Inclusion in serpentine in a carbonaceous, enstatitic, and Rumaruti type chondrodite meteorite. If you start seeing fe-rich serpentine, pentlandite, andreyivanovite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify florenskyite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-6. Luster: metallic. Common colors include cream white.

Where is florenskyite found?+

Notable localities include Kaidum chondritic meteorite, which fell in South Yemen in 1980 (type locality).

What rocks look like florenskyite?+

Florenskyite is most often confused with Schreibersite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with florenskyite?+

Florenskyite commonly co-occurs with Fe-rich serpentine, Pentlandite, Andreyivanovite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does florenskyite form in?+

Where it forms: Inclusion in serpentine in a carbonaceous, enstatitic, and Rumaruti type chondrodite meteorite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is florenskyite used for?+

Florenskyite is used in collector.

Find florenskyite on the map

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