Nesquehonite is a rare magnesium carbonate mineral that typically forms as white, radiating clusters or crusts in the vicinity of serpentinite or within coal mine tailings. Collectors should look for delicate, needle-like crystals that often occur as a secondary alteration product of other magnesium minerals.
Is this nesquehonite?
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 nesquehonite with a known reference. Nesquehonite 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. Nesquehonite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nesquehonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, grayish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular or radiating aggregates, crusts, prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Nesquehonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside nesquehonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nesquehonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg(HCO₃)(OH)·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 1.84 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or Radiating Aggregates, Crusts, Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Serpentinite Weathering Zones and Coal Mine Environments
- Typical price
- $15-60 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find nesquehonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania, USA
- Cedars, California, USA
- Maderanilla, Spain
- Kozaki, Japan
Field-hunting tip
Look in serpentinite weathering zones and coal mine environments country — that is the host setting where nesquehonite typically forms. If you start seeing hydromagnesite, aragonite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or radiating aggregates, crusts, prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find nesquehonite on the map
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