Type locality for Awaruite is the nearby Gorge River. The mineral was named after the Awarua River, or the Awarua Bay it flows into, however the species is not found here. The species was initially identified from heavy black sand given to the local warden by alluvial gold miners, and first described by government analyst William Skey in 1885. There was confusion, and a lack of information as to where the samples came from. A Government geologist named Park investigated in 1886, stating the material was found in the Gorge and Hope Rivers in gravel wash, and insitu in serpentinite in the valleys. Morgan in Minerals and Mineral Substances of New Zealand, later stated the alloy is found as water worn grains in the Gorge, Hope and Cascade Rivers in the same area south of Jackson Bay.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

ⓘ Awaruite ?

1 valid mineral.

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Awaruite ?

Formula: Ni₃Fe

References:

Skey, W. (1885) On a new mineral (awaruite) from Barn Bay. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute, 18. 401-402

Rodgers, K. A., Hey, M. H. (1980) On the type locality and other occurrences of awaruite (FeNi₃) in Westland, New Zealand. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (329) 647-650 doi:10.1180/minmag.1980.043.329.14

Railton, G. T., Watters, W. A. (1990) Minerals of New Zealand. New Zealand Geological Survey Bulletin 104. New Zealand Geological Survey

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘ	Awaruite ?	1.AE.20	Ni₃Fe

List of minerals for each chemical element

Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Awaruite	Ni₃Fe
Ni	Nickel
Ni	ⓘ Awaruite	Ni₃Fe

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

Australian PlateTectonic Plate

Buller TerraneAccretionary Complex

New Zealand

South IslandIsland
Southern AlpsMountain Range

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References

Railton, G. T., Watters, W. A. (1990) Minerals of New Zealand. New Zealand Geological Survey Bulletin 104. New Zealand Geological Survey

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