Pararammelsbergite is an uncommon nickel arsenide mineral that occurs primarily in hydrothermal ore deposits. It is frequently confused with its dimorph, rammelsbergite, and often occurs as massive, silver-white material that develops a tarnished, light pinkish hue over time. Collectors should exercise caution due to the significant arsenic content.
Is this pararammelsbergite?
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 pararammelsbergite with a known reference. Pararammelsbergite sits at Mohs ~5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: grayish black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver white, tarnished white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: arborescent, massive, platy.
Often confused with
Pararammelsbergite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Pararammelsbergite leaves grayish black, Skutterudite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Pararammelsbergite leaves grayish black, Nickeline leaves pale brownish black.
Often found alongside pararammelsbergite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pararammelsbergite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NiAs₂
- Mohs hardness
- ~5
- Density
- 7.12 g/cm³
- Colors
- Silver whiteTarnished white
- Streak
- Grayish black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Arborescent, massive, platy
- Cleavage
- {001}, perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In hydrothermal veins bearing Ni–Co sulfide mineralization
Where rockhounds find pararammelsbergite
Classic worldwide localities
- Franklin, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
- Moose Horn mine, Elk Lake, Gowganda (type locality), Ontario, Canada
- Keeley mine, South Lorrain Township (type locality), Ontario, Canada
- D uranium deposit, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Camsell River, six km south of Conjurer Bay, in the Great Bear Lake silver deposits, Northwest Territories, Canada
- Dobšiná (Dobschau), Slovakia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In hydrothermal veins bearing Ni–Co sulfide mineralization. If you start seeing nickeline, skutterudite, cobaltite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: arborescent, massive, platy. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify pararammelsbergite?+
Where is pararammelsbergite found?+
Is pararammelsbergite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like pararammelsbergite?+
What minerals are found with pararammelsbergite?+
What kind of rock does pararammelsbergite form in?+
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Find pararammelsbergite on the map
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