Awaruite is a naturally occurring alloy of nickel and iron with a composition from Ni2Fe to Ni3Fe.
Awaruite occurs in river placer deposits derived from serpentinized peridotites and ophiolites. It also occurs as a rare component of meteorites. It occurs in association with native gold and in placers; with copper and chromite.
Characteristics[]
It was first described in 1885 for an occurrence along Gorge River, Awarua Bay South Island, New Zealand.]
Awaruite is also known as josephinite it is found as placer nuggets in stream channels and masses in serpentinized portions of the Josephine peridotite.