Nickelblödite is a rare nickel sulfate member of the blödite group, typically found as an oxidation product of nickel-bearing sulfides. Collectors look for its characteristic pale yellow, vitreous tabular crystals or crusts in arid environments where nickel ores have weathered.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareBlödite Group family

Nickelblödite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this nickelblödite?

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 nickelblödite with a known reference. Nickelblödite sits at Mohs 3.5, 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: green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, crusts.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Nickelblödite and waxy to vitreous on Leonite.

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Often found alongside nickelblödite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₂Ni(SO₄)₂·4H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 2.43 g/cm³
Colors: Green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, massive, crusts
Cleavage: Poor
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: By evaporation of fluids containing Na, Ni, and SO4

Where rockhounds find nickelblödite

Classic worldwide localities

Durkin nickel mine, Kambalda, 56 km south of Kalgoorlie, and in the Carr Boyd Rocks mine, Goongarrie, Western Australia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: By evaporation of fluids containing Na, Ni, and SO4. If you start seeing violarite, pyrite, siderite 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 nickelblödite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include green.

Where is nickelblödite found?+

Notable localities include Durkin nickel mine, Kambalda, 56 km south of Kalgoorlie, and in the Carr Boyd Rocks mine, Goongarrie, Western Australia.

Is nickelblödite safe to handle?+

Nickelblödite contains nickel. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like nickelblödite?+

Nickelblödite is most often confused with Blödite, Leonite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with nickelblödite?+

Nickelblödite commonly co-occurs with Violarite, Pyrite, Siderite, Halite, Morenosite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does nickelblödite form in?+

Where it forms: By evaporation of fluids containing Na, Ni, and SO4. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is nickelblödite used for?+

Nickelblödite is used in collector.

Find nickelblödite on the map

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