Nickelschneebergite is a rare secondary arsenate mineral found in the oxidation zones of nickel-bearing hydrothermal ore deposits. It typically appears as small, yellowish-green to brown crystals or crusts that are often associated with other rare arsenate minerals. Collectors primarily seek this mineral from its type locality in Schneeberg, Germany.
Is this nickelschneebergite?
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 nickelschneebergite with a known reference. Nickelschneebergite sits at Mohs 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nickelschneebergite leaves a yellowish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nickelschneebergite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-green, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic to tabular crystals, often as crusts or aggregates.
Often confused with
Nickelschneebergite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nickelschneebergite leaves yellowish, Gartrellite leaves pale green.
How to tell apart: Nickelschneebergite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Nickelschneebergite leaves yellowish, Helmutwinklerite leaves yellow.
Often found alongside nickelschneebergite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nickelschneebergite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaNi₂(AsO₄)₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 5.68 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to Tabular Crystals, Often as Crusts or Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Ore Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find nickelschneebergite
Classic worldwide localities
- Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal ore veins country, the host setting where nickelschneebergite typically forms. If you start seeing arsenolite, pharmacosiderite, scorodite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic to tabular crystals, often as crusts or aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nickelschneebergite?+
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Find nickelschneebergite on the map
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