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, 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?+
What kind of rock does nickelboussingaultite form in?+
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Find nickelboussingaultite on the map
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