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, 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
How do you identify falcondoite?+
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Find falcondoite on the map
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