Oregonite is a rare nickel-iron arsenide mineral typically found as small grains within serpentinized peridotites. It is best identified through laboratory methods like X-ray diffraction or electron microprobe analysis, as it closely resembles other silver-white metallic minerals.
Is this oregonite?
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 oregonite with a known reference. Oregonite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: grayish black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, gray white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Oregonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Oregonite leaves grayish black, Maucherite leaves blackish gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Oregonite leaves grayish black, Nickeline leaves pale brownish black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Oregonite leaves grayish black, Skutterudite leaves black.
Often found alongside oregonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with oregonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ni₂FeAs₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 6.92 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Grayish black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As water-rolled pebbles in clinochlore and serpentine (Oregon, USA)
Where rockhounds find oregonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Josephine Creek, west of Kerby, Josephine Co., Oregon, USA (type locality)
- Alexo mine, near Timmins, Ontario, Canada
- Skouriotissa, Cyprus
- Ijim massif, west Sayan, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As water-rolled pebbles in clinochlore and serpentine (Oregon, USA). If you start seeing copper, bornite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify oregonite?+
Where is oregonite found?+
Is oregonite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like oregonite?+
What minerals are found with oregonite?+
What kind of rock does oregonite form in?+
What is oregonite used for?+
Find oregonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
