Nickelboussingaultite is a rare nickel-bearing sulfate mineral typically found as a secondary precipitate in volcanic fumarole environments. Collectors usually encounter it as delicate, pale blue-green crystalline crusts or efflorescences on volcanic rock surfaces.
Is this nickelboussingaultite?
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 nickelboussingaultite with a known reference. Nickelboussingaultite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: crusts, efflorescences, rare tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Nickelboussingaultite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside nickelboussingaultite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nickelboussingaultite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (NH₄)₂Ni(SO₄)₂·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 1.85 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, efflorescences, rare tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- Imperfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In an underground nickel ore stockpile, around and on a wooden timber, and on “limonite” (Noril’sk, Russia)
Where rockhounds find nickelboussingaultite
Classic worldwide localities
- A prospect 13 km east-southeast of Gray Mountain, Cameron district, Coconino Co., Arizona, USA
- Talnakh area, Noril’sk, western Siberia, Russia
- Heimberg quarry, Wolfshagen, Harz Mountains, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In an underground nickel ore stockpile, around and on a wooden timber, and on “limonite” (Noril’sk, Russia). If you start seeing pentlandite, chalcopyrite, limonite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crusts, efflorescences, rare tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nickelboussingaultite?+
Where is nickelboussingaultite found?+
Is nickelboussingaultite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like nickelboussingaultite?+
What minerals are found with nickelboussingaultite?+
What kind of rock does nickelboussingaultite form in?+
What is nickelboussingaultite used for?+
Find nickelboussingaultite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
