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 — that is 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
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