Nisbite is a rare nickel-antimony mineral that typically appears as anhedral to subhedral metallic grains within sulfide assemblages. Collectors usually find it as a minor constituent in complex ore environments, often associated with other nickel-bearing minerals. Because it is rarely found in well-formed crystals, identification usually requires micro-analysis or X-ray diffraction.
Is this nisbite?
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 nisbite with a known reference. Nisbite sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nisbite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nisbite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, tin-white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Nisbite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Nisbite leaves black, Löllingite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Nisbite leaves black, Safflorite leaves grayish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Nisbite leaves black, Rammelsbergite leaves grayish-black.
Often found alongside nisbite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nisbite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NiSb₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 9.4-9.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Nickel-antimony Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find nisbite
Classic worldwide localities
- Nisbite locality, China
- various nickel-antimony sulfide deposits
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal nickel-antimony deposits country — that is the host setting where nisbite typically forms. If you start seeing gersdorffite, breithauptite, nickel-antimony sulfides in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nisbite?+
Where is nisbite found?+
How much is nisbite worth?+
Is nisbite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like nisbite?+
What minerals are found with nisbite?+
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Find nisbite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
