Nuwaite is a rare nickel germanium sulfide that forms irregular grains. It is associated with grossular and heazlewoodite. It was first described from material found in Mexico (meteorite).

Hardness

Mohs

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Nuwaite

Nuwaite is a rare nickel germanium sulfide that forms irregular grains. It is associated with grossular and heazlewoodite. It was first described from material found in Mexico (meteorite).

Hardness: 3.5
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this nuwaite?

2-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 nuwaite with a known reference. Nuwaite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: irregular grains.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Maucherite

Mohs 5

How to tell apart: Maucherite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3.5).

How to tell apart: Breithauptite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5 vs. 3.5).

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Often found alongside nuwaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ni₆GeS₂
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 7.24 g/cm³
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Irregular grains
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Very late-stage, vapor-deposited, alteration product in veins and as mono-mineralic crack-filling material in igneous diopside in the Type B1 Ca-Al-rich inclusion (CAI) ACM-2 from the Allende CV3 carbonaceous chondrite

Where rockhounds find nuwaite

Classic worldwide localities

Material found in Mexico (meteorite)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Very late-stage, vapor-deposited, alteration product in veins and as mono-mineralic crack-filling material in igneous diopside in the Type B1 Ca-Al-rich inclusion (CAI) ACM-2 from the Allende CV3 carbonaceous chondrite. If you start seeing grossular, na-bearing melilite, heazlewoodite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify nuwaite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5.

Where is nuwaite found?+

Notable localities include Material found in Mexico (meteorite).

Is nuwaite safe to handle?+

Nuwaite contains nickel. Contains nickel, which can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions upon contact; handle with care and avoid inhalation of dust.

What rocks look like nuwaite?+

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

What minerals are found with nuwaite?+

Nuwaite commonly co-occurs with Grossular, Na-bearing melilite, Heazlewoodite, Ge-bearing Ni-Fe alloys. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does nuwaite form in?+

Where it forms: Very late-stage, vapor-deposited, alteration product in veins and as mono-mineralic crack-filling material in igneous diopside in the Type B1 Ca-Al-rich inclusion (CAI) ACM-2 from the Allende CV3 carbonaceous chondrite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is nuwaite used for?+

Nuwaite is used in collector.

Find nuwaite on the map

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