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. Nickelboussingaultite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nickelboussingaultite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue-green, greenish-blue, pale green.
- 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
- 1.97 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, Efflorescences, Rare Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumaroles, Volcanic Sublimates
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find nickelboussingaultite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tuscany, Italy
- Kamchatka, Russia
- Cerro Pintados, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumaroles, volcanic sublimates country — that is the host setting where nickelboussingaultite typically forms. If you start seeing sulfur, alunogen, halotrichite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a crusts, efflorescences, rare tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nickelboussingaultite?+
Where is nickelboussingaultite found?+
How much is nickelboussingaultite worth?+
What rocks look like nickelboussingaultite?+
What minerals are found with nickelboussingaultite?+
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Find nickelboussingaultite on the map
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