Nickolayite is a rare iron molybdenum mineral that forms light gray to grayish white irregularly shaped grains. It is an accessory phase in fused clinopyroxene-plagioclase rocks. It was first described from Jizah District, Amman Governorate, Jordan.
Is this nickolayite?
4-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 nickolayite with a known reference. Nickolayite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: light gray, grayish white.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: irregularly shaped grains.
Often confused with
Nickolayite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeMoP
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 7.819 g/cm³
- Colors
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Irregularly shaped grains
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In pyrometamorphic rock
Where rockhounds find nickolayite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jizah District, Amman Governorate, Jordan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In pyrometamorphic rock. If you start seeing transjordan plateau, hatrurim formation, jordan in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregularly shaped grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nickolayite?+
Where is nickolayite found?+
What rocks look like nickolayite?+
What minerals are found with nickolayite?+
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What is nickolayite used for?+
Find nickolayite on the map
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