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 — that is 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.