Nabiasite is a very rare arsenate mineral originally discovered in the Pyrenees mountains of France. It typically occurs as small, sharp dodecahedral crystals in manganese-bearing mineral assemblages.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Yellowish-white

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrarenull family

Nabiasite

Hardness: 4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Yellowish-white
Transparency: Transparent

Is this nabiasite?

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 nabiasite with a known reference. Nabiasite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nabiasite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Nabiasite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Manganberzeliite

Mohs 5

How to tell apart: Manganberzeliite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 4); streak differs — Nabiasite leaves yellowish-white, Manganberzeliite leaves white.

Compare →

Often found alongside nabiasite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: BaMn₉(AsO₄)₆(OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 4
Density: 3.84 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Brownish-yellow
Streak: Yellowish-white
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Dodecahedral Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Manganese-rich Hydrothermal Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find nabiasite

Classic worldwide localities

Nabias, Hautes-Pyrenees, France

Field-hunting tip

Look in manganese-rich hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where nabiasite typically forms. If you start seeing rhodochrosite, hausmannite, braunite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify nabiasite?+

Mohs hardness is 4. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is yellowish-white. Common colors include yellow, brownish-yellow.

Where is nabiasite found?+

Notable localities include Nabias, Hautes-Pyrenees, France.

How much is nabiasite worth?+

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

Is nabiasite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains arsenic, which is toxic. Handle with care, avoid creating dust, and wash hands thoroughly after handling. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like nabiasite?+

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

What minerals are found with nabiasite?+

Nabiasite commonly co-occurs with Rhodochrosite, Hausmannite, Braunite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does nabiasite form in?+

Nabiasite typically forms in manganese-rich hydrothermal deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is nabiasite used for?+

Nabiasite is used in collector.

Find nabiasite on the map

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