Karpinskite is a rare magnesium nickel silicate. It occurs in veinlets in "kerolitized" serpentinite. It was first described from Nizhni Tagil massif, Ural Mountains, Russia.
Is this karpinskite?
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 karpinskite with a known reference. Karpinskite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, 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: dull to weakly greasy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, greenish blue, light blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Karpinskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Karpinskite leaves white, Wurtzite leaves brown; luster reads dull to weakly greasy on Karpinskite and resinous, brilliant submetallic on crystal faces on Wurtzite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Karpinskite leaves white, Sphalerite leaves pale brown to pale yellow and white; luster reads dull to weakly greasy on Karpinskite and resinous to adamantine on Sphalerite.
Often found alongside karpinskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with karpinskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mg,Ni)₂Si₂O₅(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 2.53-2.63 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull to weakly greasy
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As veinlets in kerolitized serpentinite
Where rockhounds find karpinskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Nizhni Tagil massif, Ural Mountains, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As veinlets in kerolitized serpentinite. If you start seeing albite, aegirine, chlorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify karpinskite?+
Where is karpinskite found?+
Is karpinskite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like karpinskite?+
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Find karpinskite on the map
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