Ognitite is a rare nickel bismuth telluride, typically black. It occurs in dunite in zones of disseminated Cu-Ni-PGE sulfide mineralization. Associated minerals include chalcopyrite, hessite and altaite. It was first described from the Ognit (or Medek) dunite-wehrlite complex, Irkutskaya oblast, Eastern Sayans, Russia.
Is this ognitite?
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 ognitite with a known reference. Ognitite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ognitite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ognitite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: granular, massive.
Often confused with
Ognitite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ognitite leaves black, Pentlandite leaves light bronze-brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ognitite leaves black, Pyrrhotite leaves dark gray to black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ognitite leaves black, Troilite leaves dark grayish brown.
Often found alongside ognitite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ognitite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NiBiTe
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 8.75 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Granular, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Intrusive Rocks
Where rockhounds find ognitite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ognit deposit, Sayan Mountains, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic intrusive rocks country, the host setting where ognitite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ognitite?+
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What rocks look like ognitite?+
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Find ognitite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
