How do I identify Taenite?

Taenite can be identified by its hardness of 5 - 5.5 on the Mohs scale, Greyish white color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Taenite?

Taenite typically appears in Greyish white, silver-white. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

Taenite has a hardness of 5 - 5.5 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.

Taenite

A variety of Minerals

What is Taenite?

Taenite (Fe,Ni) is a mineral found naturally on Earth mostly in iron meteorites. It is an alloy of iron and nickel, with nickel proportions of 20% up to 65%. The name is derived from the Greek ταινία for "band, ribbon". Taenite is a major constituent of iron meteorites. In octahedrites it is found in bands interleaving with kamacite forming Widmanstätten patterns, whereas in ataxites it is the dominant constituent. In octahedrites a fine intermixture with kamacite can occur, which is called plessite. Taenite is one of four known Fe-Ni meteorite minerals: The others are kamacite, tetrataenite, and antitaenite.

Taenite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Taenite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Taenite Localities Map

See where Taenite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

Map preview

North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Characteristics of Taenite

It is opaque with a metallic grayish to white color. The structure is isometric-hexoctahedral. Its density is around 8 g/cm and hardness is 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale. Taenite is magnetic, in contrast to antitaenite. The crystal lattice has the c≈a= 3.582±0.002 Å. The Strunz classification is I/A.08-20, while the Dana classification is 1.1.11.2 . It is hexoctahedral (cubic) in structure.