Falcondoite is a rare nickel-rich member of the sepiolite group, typically appearing as a vibrant green or pale green massive material. It is primarily found as a weathering product in nickel-bearing lateritic soils and is highly valued by mineral collectors specializing in rare secondary nickel species.
Is this falcondoite?
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 falcondoite with a known reference. Falcondoite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Falcondoite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Falcondoite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, pale green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, fibrous.
Often confused with
Falcondoite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside falcondoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with falcondoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ni,Mg)₄Si₆O₁₅(OH)₂·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Fibrous
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Ore Mineral
- Host rock
- Lateritic Nickel Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 for small specimens
Where rockhounds find falcondoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Loma Peguera, Dominican Republic
- Kempersai, Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in lateritic nickel deposits country — that is the host setting where falcondoite typically forms. If you start seeing serpentine, goethite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, fibrous habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find falcondoite on the map
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