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 4-4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale brown to nearly white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: olive green, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, tabular.
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 pale brown to nearly white, Tsumcorite leaves yellow; luster reads adamantine on Nickelschneebergite and vitreous on Tsumcorite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nickelschneebergite leaves pale brown to nearly white, Gartrellite leaves bright yellow; luster reads adamantine on Nickelschneebergite and chalky on Gartrellite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nickelschneebergite leaves pale brown to nearly white, Helmutwinklerite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Nickelschneebergite and vitreous, resinous on fracture surfaces on Helmutwinklerite.
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
- BiNi₂(AsO₄)₂(OH)·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4-4.5
- Density
- 5.23 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale brown to nearly white
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals, tabular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In oxidized mining waste
Where rockhounds find nickelschneebergite
Classic worldwide localities
- Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In oxidized mining waste. If you start seeing schneebergite, quartz, scorodite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nickelschneebergite?+
Where is nickelschneebergite found?+
Is nickelschneebergite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like nickelschneebergite?+
What minerals are found with nickelschneebergite?+
What kind of rock does nickelschneebergite form in?+
What is nickelschneebergite used for?+
Find nickelschneebergite on the map
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