Native cadmium is an exceptionally rare metallic mineral found as tiny grains in specialized hydrothermal environments or specific meteorite impacts. It is typically silvery-white when fresh but tarnishes quickly to a dull gray, requiring careful storage in airtight containers to prevent oxidation.
Is this native cadmium?
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 native cadmium with a known reference. Native Cadmium sits at Mohs 1-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: tin white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: grains.
Often confused with
Native Cadmium vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside native cadmium
Minerals reported to co-occur with native cadmium. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cd
- Mohs hardness
- 1-2
- Density
- 8.65 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Grains
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the heavy, non-magnetic fraction of a mechanical concentrate from a gabbro intrusive (Ust’-Khann’ya intrusive, Russia)
Where rockhounds find native cadmium
Classic worldwide localities
- Goldstrike mine, Lynn district, Eureka Co., Nevada, USA
- Ust’-Khann’ya intrusive, lower Khann’ya River, Vilyui River basin, eastern Siberian platform (type locality), Russia
- Southern Verkhoyan’ya, Russia
- Burobaiskii massif, eastern Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the heavy, non-magnetic fraction of a mechanical concentrate from a gabbro intrusive (Ust’-Khann’ya intrusive, Russia). If you start seeing moissanite, cu–zn alloy, sn–sb alloy in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify native cadmium?+
Where is native cadmium found?+
Is native cadmium safe to handle?+
What rocks look like native cadmium?+
What minerals are found with native cadmium?+
What kind of rock does native cadmium form in?+
What is native cadmium used for?+
Find native cadmium on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
