Niveolanite is an exceptionally rare beryllium carbonate mineral primarily found in the alkaline complex at Mont Saint-Hilaire. It typically occurs as delicate, white, radiating acicular sprays or clusters nestled in cavities of igneous rocks.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Silky

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareDawsonite Group family

Niveolanite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Silky
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this niveolanite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch niveolanite with a known reference. Niveolanite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: silky.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: snow white, pearl white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: deliquescent, fibrous.

Often confused with

Niveolanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Dawsonite

Mohs 3

How to tell apart: Luster reads silky on Niveolanite and vitreous, silky in fibrous aggregates on Dawsonite.

How to tell apart: Luster reads silky on Niveolanite and vitreous on Weloganite.

Compare →

Often found alongside niveolanite

Minerals reported to co-occur with niveolanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: NaBeCO₃(OH)(H₂O)₂
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 1.82 g/cm³
Colors: Snow white Pearl white
Streak: White
Luster: Silky
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Deliquescent, fibrous
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A late stage mineral in cavities in the core of a hydrothermally altered peralkaline pegmatite

Where rockhounds find niveolanite

Classic worldwide localities

Poudrette Pegmatite, Poudrette Quarry, Mont-Saint Hilaire, Quebec, Canada

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A late stage mineral in cavities in the core of a hydrothermally altered peralkaline pegmatite. If you start seeing albite, aegirine, natrolite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: deliquescent, fibrous. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify niveolanite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. Luster: silky. The streak is white. Common colors include snow white, pearl white.

Where is niveolanite found?+

Notable localities include Poudrette Pegmatite, Poudrette Quarry, Mont-Saint Hilaire, Quebec, Canada.

Is niveolanite safe to handle?+

Niveolanite contains beryllium. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like niveolanite?+

Niveolanite is most often confused with Dawsonite, Weloganite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with niveolanite?+

Niveolanite commonly co-occurs with Albite, Aegirine, Natrolite, Gonnardite, Siderite, Petersenite-. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does niveolanite form in?+

Where it forms: A late stage mineral in cavities in the core of a hydrothermally altered peralkaline pegmatite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is niveolanite used for?+

Niveolanite is used in collector.

Find niveolanite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.