Nasinite is a rare hydrous sodium borate mineral found in specific arid evaporite environments. It typically occurs as small tabular crystals or crusts associated with other complex borate species in dried lake bed deposits.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrare

Nasinite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Semitransparent

Is this nasinite?

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 nasinite with a known reference. Nasinite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, crusts.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside nasinite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₂B₅O₈(OH)·2H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 2.2 g/cm³
Colors: White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, massive, crusts
Cleavage: Perfect in one direction
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific research
Host rock: As scales on piping in a geothermal field

Where rockhounds find nasinite

Classic worldwide localities

Larderello, Val di Cecina, Tuscany, Italy

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: As scales on piping in a geothermal field. If you start seeing biringuccite, thénardite, orpiment in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify nasinite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include white.

Where is nasinite found?+

Notable localities include Larderello, Val di Cecina, Tuscany, Italy.

What rocks look like nasinite?+

Nasinite is most often confused with Borax, Kernite, Ulexite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with nasinite?+

Nasinite commonly co-occurs with Biringuccite, Thénardite, Orpiment, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does nasinite form in?+

Where it forms: As scales on piping in a geothermal field. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is nasinite used for?+

Nasinite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find nasinite on the map

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