Enough nickel is usually present to make Skutterudite a significant ore of Nickel. The iron rich variety is rare. Color is tin white to silver. Luster is metallic. Transparency crystals are opaque.
Cleavage is indistinct.
Fracture is conchoidal or uneven. Hardness is 6. Streak is black. Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, color, streak, lack of good cleavage and associations.