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 — Nickelschneebergite leaves yellowish, Gartrellite leaves pale green.
How to tell apart: Nickelschneebergite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2); streak differs — 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 — that is 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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