Naquite is a rare iron silicide that forms steel-gray irregular grains. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2010. It was first described from ore body 31, Shannan Prefecture, Tibet, People's Republic of China.
Is this naquite?
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 naquite with a known reference. Naquite sits at Mohs 6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Naquite leaves a grayish black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Naquite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: irregular grains.
Often confused with
Naquite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Naquite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5 vs. 3.5); streak differs, so Naquite leaves grayish black, Stannite leaves blackish.
How to tell apart: Naquite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6.5 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs, so Naquite leaves grayish black, Copper leaves copper-red.
Often found alongside naquite
Minerals reported to co-occur with naquite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeSi
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 6.186 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Grayish Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Irregular Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
Where rockhounds find naquite
Classic worldwide localities
- Russia
- China
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where naquite typically forms. If you start seeing stannite, chalcopyrite, cassiterite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a irregular grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find naquite on the map
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