Nimite is a rare nickel-rich member of the chlorite group, typically appearing as dark green to yellowish-green platy or micaceous aggregates. It is most commonly found in nickel-rich geological environments where it forms through the alteration of primary nickel minerals. Collectors should look for its characteristic pearly luster and soft, flexible plates, which are often found associated with other rare nickel minerals.
Is this nimite?
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 nimite with a known reference. Nimite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: irregular grains.
Often confused with
Nimite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside nimite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nimite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ni,Mg,Al)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH)₈
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.123 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Irregular grains
- Cleavage
- {001}, pronounced
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Mineralogical study
- Host rock
- In a small tabular body of nickeliferous serpentinite, probably a contact deposit, along the junction of quartzite and an ultramafic intrusive
Where rockhounds find nimite
Classic worldwide localities
- From three km west of the Scotia talc mine, Bon Accord area, Barberton, Transvaal, South Africa (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a small tabular body of nickeliferous serpentinite, probably a contact deposit, along the junction of quartzite and an ultramafic intrusive. If you start seeing willemseite, nickeloan talc, ferroan trevorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find nimite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
