Nipalarsite is a rare nickel palladium arsenide. It occurs in sulfide-bearing, intercumulus orthopyroxenite of a layered ultramafic intrusion. It was first described from Monchetundra layered intrusion, Kola Peninsula, Russia.
Is this nipalarsite?
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 nipalarsite with a known reference. Nipalarsite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Nipalarsite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nipalarsite leaves gray, Senarmontite leaves white; luster reads metallic on Nipalarsite and resinous to subadamantine on Senarmontite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nipalarsite leaves gray, Valentinite leaves white; luster reads metallic on Nipalarsite and adamantine, pearly on cleavages on Valentinite.
Often found alongside nipalarsite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nipalarsite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ni₈Pd₃As₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 9.60 g/cm³
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- carbonatite
Where rockhounds find nipalarsite
Classic worldwide localities
- Monchetundra layered intrusion, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: carbonatite. If you start seeing calcite, baryte, apatite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find nipalarsite on the map
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