Népouite is a nickel-rich phyllosilicate mineral belonging to the serpentine group, often occurring in compact, earthy masses. Collectors prize it for its vibrant apple-green color, which is characteristic of nickel-bearing secondary minerals found in weathered ultramafic zones.
Is this népouite?
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 népouite with a known reference. Népouite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Népouite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Népouite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, yellowish-green, apple-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fine-grained massive, earthy, or as crusts.
Often confused with
Népouite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside népouite
Minerals reported to co-occur with népouite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ni₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.6-3.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fine-grained Massive, Earthy, Or as Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Nickel
- Host rock
- Weathered Ultramafic Rocks and Nickel Laterite Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-60 for small specimens
Where rockhounds find népouite
Classic worldwide localities
- Népoui, New Caledonia
- Kambalda, Australia
- Gornja Lipnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Prata, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in weathered ultramafic rocks and nickel laterite deposits country, the host setting where népouite typically forms. If you start seeing serpentine, goethite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fine-grained massive, earthy, or as crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find népouite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
