Paraotwayite is a rare nickel hydroxide sulfate mineral that typically appears as bright green to yellow-green platy crusts. It is primarily found in the weathering zones of nickel-rich ultramafic rocks and is a prized target for advanced mineral collectors focusing on supergene species.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Silky

Streak

White

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrare

Paraotwayite

Hardness: 4
Luster: Silky
Streak: White
Transparency: Semitransparent

No image

Is this paraotwayite?

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 paraotwayite with a known reference. Paraotwayite sits at Mohs 4, 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: emerald green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Otwayite

Mohs 4

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Paraotwayite leaves white, Otwayite leaves light green.

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Often found alongside paraotwayite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ni(OH)₂-x(SO₄,CO₃)₀.₅x
Mohs hardness: 4
Density: 3.30 g/cm³
Colors: Emerald green
Streak: White
Luster: Silky
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Fibrous
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A very rare secondary mineral in veinlets in altered ore from a hydrothermal nickel deposit in a serpentinized peridotite

Where rockhounds find paraotwayite

Classic worldwide localities

Otway prospect, near Spinnaway, Nullagine district, Western Australia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A very rare secondary mineral in veinlets in altered ore from a hydrothermal nickel deposit in a serpentinized peridotite. If you start seeing millerite, polydymite, nickeloan chrysotile in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: fibrous. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify paraotwayite?+

Mohs hardness is 4. Luster: silky. The streak is white. Common colors include emerald green.

Where is paraotwayite found?+

Notable localities include Otway prospect, near Spinnaway, Nullagine district, Western Australia.

Is paraotwayite safe to handle?+

Paraotwayite contains nickel. Contains nickel; avoid ingestion, inhalation of dust, or prolonged skin contact.

What rocks look like paraotwayite?+

Paraotwayite is most often confused with Otwayite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with paraotwayite?+

Paraotwayite commonly co-occurs with Millerite, Polydymite, Nickeloan chrysotile, Dolomite, Gaspéite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does paraotwayite form in?+

Where it forms: A very rare secondary mineral in veinlets in altered ore from a hydrothermal nickel deposit in a serpentinized peridotite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is paraotwayite used for?+

Paraotwayite is used in collector.

Find paraotwayite on the map

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