Nitrite is a rare, naturally occurring sodium nitrite mineral found exclusively in hyper-arid environments like the Atacama Desert. It is highly deliquescent and can dissolve into a liquid if exposed to moisture, making it a challenging mineral for collectors to preserve. It typically presents as a thin, white-to-yellowish efflorescent crust on other desert salts.
Is this nitrite?
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 nitrite with a known reference. Nitrite sits at Mohs 1.5-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nitrite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nitrite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, encrustations, efflorescent.
Often confused with
Nitrite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside nitrite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nitrite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaNO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 2.17 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Encrustations, Efflorescent
- Cleavage
- Distinct in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Study
- Host rock
- Extremely Arid Evaporite Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find nitrite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Atacama Desert, Chile
- Peru
- Egypt
Field-hunting tip
Look in extremely arid evaporite deposits country, the host setting where nitrite typically forms. If you start seeing nitratine, halite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, encrustations, efflorescent habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Utah. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify nitrite?+
Where is nitrite found?+
Can I find nitrite in the United States?+
How much is nitrite worth?+
Is nitrite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like nitrite?+
What minerals are found with nitrite?+
What kind of rock does nitrite form in?+
What is nitrite used for?+
Find nitrite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
