Haapalaite is a rare layered sulfide-hydroxide mineral that typically forms as small, platy bronze-yellow crystals. It is most frequently identified in nickel-copper sulfide ore bodies where it occurs as an alteration product of primary sulfide minerals like pentlandite.
Is this haapalaite?
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 haapalaite with a known reference. Haapalaite sits at Mohs 1-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Haapalaite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Haapalaite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bronze-yellow, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy, hexagonal aggregates, massive.
Often confused with
Haapalaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Pyrrhotite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4.5 vs. 1-2); streak differs — Haapalaite leaves black, Pyrrhotite leaves dark grey to black.
How to tell apart: Pentlandite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 1-2); streak differs — Haapalaite leaves black, Pentlandite leaves light bronze-brown.
Often found alongside haapalaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with haapalaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe,Ni)₉S₈·(Mg,Al)₆(OH)₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 1-2
- Density
- 2.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy, Hexagonal Aggregates, Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Nickel-copper Sulfide Deposits and Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find haapalaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Haapaluoma, Finland
- Norilsk, Russia
- Sudbury, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in nickel-copper sulfide deposits and pegmatites country — that is the host setting where haapalaite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrrhotite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy, hexagonal aggregates, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find haapalaite on the map
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