Dwornikite is a rare nickel-rich sulfate mineral typically found as a secondary weathering product in mine tailings. It generally appears as fine-grained crusts or fibrous efflorescences, making it difficult to identify without laboratory analysis. It is most frequently encountered by collectors focusing on secondary sulfate minerals from historic mining districts.
Is this dwornikite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch dwornikite with a known reference. Dwornikite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Dwornikite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside dwornikite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dwornikite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NiSO₄·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 3.34 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous aggregates, crusts
- Cleavage
- None reported
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a vanadium sulfide deposit, probably by oxidation of associated bravoite
Where rockhounds find dwornikite
Classic worldwide localities
- Minasragra, 46 km from Cerro de Pasco, Peru
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a vanadium sulfide deposit, probably by oxidation of associated bravoite. If you start seeing patronite, sulfur, retgersite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: fibrous aggregates, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify dwornikite?+
Where is dwornikite found?+
Is dwornikite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like dwornikite?+
What minerals are found with dwornikite?+
What kind of rock does dwornikite form in?+
What is dwornikite used for?+
Find dwornikite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
