Hellyerite is a rare nickel carbonate mineral that typically forms as pale blue crusts or small aggregates on serpentinite. It is primarily known from the type locality in the Lord Brassey mine in Tasmania, where it is found associated with other nickel-bearing minerals. Because it is highly sensitive to humidity and can dehydrate, specimens should be stored in controlled conditions to prevent degradation.

Hardness

2.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Hellyerite

Hardness: 2.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this hellyerite?

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 hellyerite with a known reference. Hellyerite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hellyerite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Hellyerite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: blue, pale blue, greenish-blue.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: fine-grained crusts, tabular crystals.

Often confused with

Hellyerite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Zaratite

Mohs 3-3.25

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Hellyerite leaves white, Zaratite leaves pale green.

Compare →

Often found alongside hellyerite

Minerals reported to co-occur with hellyerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: NiCO₃·6H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2.5
Density: 2.1 g/cm³
Colors: Blue Pale Blue Greenish-blue
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Fine-grained Crusts, Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Serpentinite
Typical price: $50-300 per small specimen

Where rockhounds find hellyerite

Classic worldwide localities

Lord Brassey mine, Tasmania, Australia

Field-hunting tip

Look in serpentinite country — that is the host setting where hellyerite typically forms. If you start seeing millerite, pentlandite, serpentine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fine-grained crusts, tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify hellyerite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include blue, pale blue, greenish-blue.

Where is hellyerite found?+

Notable localities include Lord Brassey mine, Tasmania, Australia.

How much is hellyerite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per small specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is hellyerite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains nickel, which is a skin sensitizer and toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling specimens. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like hellyerite?+

Hellyerite is most often confused with Zaratite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with hellyerite?+

Hellyerite commonly co-occurs with millerite, pentlandite, serpentine. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does hellyerite form in?+

Hellyerite typically forms in serpentinite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is hellyerite used for?+

Hellyerite is used in collector.

Find hellyerite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.