Pentlandite identification and geology

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• Previous: Pectolite — Sodium calcium inosilicate. The blue variety from the Dominican Republic, called larimar, is a valued gemstone.
• Next: Phlogopite — Magnesium-rich mica that forms yellowish-brown flexible sheets. Important in ultramafic and carbonate-hosted metamorphic rocks.
• Pyrrhotite
• Chalcopyrite
• Pyrite

Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner

GeoMiner

Last updated

2026-03-30T14:36:59.322294+00:00

Review status

Published; not independently peer-reviewed

• IMA–CNMNC List of Mineral Names — International Mineralogical Association. Official mineral-name, nomenclature, and classification records.
• Mineral ID Key — Mineralogical Society of America. Physical-property identification methods, repeat-testing guidance, and limitations.

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Common questions

What is Pentlandite?

Iron-nickel sulfide and the most important ore of nickel. Usually occurs intergrown with pyrrhotite.

How can you identify Pentlandite?

Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records colour: Bronze-yellow; lustre: Metallic; streak: Bronze-brown; Mohs hardness: 3.5-4; cleavage: None parting present; crystal system: Isometric Cubic; transparency: Opaque. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.

How does Pentlandite form?

Forms in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks by immiscible sulfide liquid separation from silicate magma.

Where is Pentlandite commonly found?

Canada Sudbury , Russia Norilsk , South Africa, Australia; found in nickel-copper sulfide deposits.

What is Pentlandite commonly confused with?

Pentlandite may be confused with Pyrrhotite, Chalcopyrite, Pyrite. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.