Bottinoite is a rare hydrated nickel-antimony hydroxide mineral that forms small, glassy, colorless to white rhombohedral crystals. It is primarily known from the Bottino mine in Italy, where it typically occurs as a secondary mineral within stibnite-bearing hydrothermal veins.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Bottinoite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this bottinoite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch bottinoite with a known reference. Bottinoite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bottinoite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Bottinoite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals.

Often confused with

Bottinoite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Brandtite

Mohs 3-4

How to tell apart: Brandtite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-4 vs. 2).

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Bottinoite and adamantine on Senarmontite.

Compare →

Often found alongside bottinoite

Minerals reported to co-occur with bottinoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: NiSb(OH)₆
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 2.81 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Rhombohedral Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Veins
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find bottinoite

Classic worldwide localities

Bottino Mine, Tuscany, Italy

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where bottinoite typically forms. If you start seeing stibnite, berthierite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rhombohedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify bottinoite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is bottinoite found?+

Notable localities include Bottino Mine, Tuscany, Italy.

How much is bottinoite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is bottinoite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains nickel and antimony; wash hands thoroughly after handling specimens to avoid ingestion or skin irritation. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like bottinoite?+

Bottinoite is most often confused with Brandtite, Senarmontite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with bottinoite?+

Bottinoite commonly co-occurs with Stibnite, Berthierite, Quartz, Pyrite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does bottinoite form in?+

Bottinoite typically forms in hydrothermal veins. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is bottinoite used for?+

Bottinoite is used in collector.

Find bottinoite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.