Morenosite is a secondary nickel sulfate mineral that typically forms as a dehydration product or efflorescence in the oxidation zones of nickel-bearing sulfide ores. It is highly unstable in dry air and can quickly dehydrate to form retgersite, so collectors should store it in sealed containers with humidity control.
Is this morenosite?
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 morenosite with a known reference. Morenosite sits at Mohs 2-2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale green to white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: apple green, greenish white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular, massive, stalactitic.
Often confused with
Morenosite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Morenosite leaves pale green to white, Melanterite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Morenosite leaves pale green to white, Goslarite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Morenosite leaves pale green to white, Epsomite leaves white.
Often found alongside morenosite
Minerals reported to co-occur with morenosite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NiSO₄·7H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 1.953 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale green to white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, massive, stalactitic
- Cleavage
- On {010}, distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An uncommon secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of nickel-bearing hydrothermal mineral deposits, formed from H2O solution below 31.5°C
Where rockhounds find morenosite
Classic worldwide localities
- Gap Nickel mine, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, USA
- Coyote Mountain nickel prospect, Imperial Co., at the Friday Ni–Co–Cu mine, San Diego Co., and in the Island Mountain copper mine, Trinity Co., California, USA
- Lovelock and Nickel mines, Table Mountain district, Churchill Co., Nevada, USA
- Cabo Ortegal, Galicia, Spain
- Jáchymov (Joachimsthal), Czech Republic
- Plattelen, and on Mt. Pollux, both near Zermatt, Valais, Switzerland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An uncommon secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of nickel-bearing hydrothermal mineral deposits, formed from H2O solution below 31.5°C. If you start seeing retgersite, nickelhexahydrite, annabergite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, massive, stalactitic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify morenosite?+
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Find morenosite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
