Szymańskiite is a rare mercury nickel carbonate that forms sprays of euhedral to subhedral prismatic crystals. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 1989. It was first described from the Clear Creek claim, San Benito Co., California, USA.
Is this szymańskiite?
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 szymańskiite with a known reference. Szymańskiite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale blue.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue gray, blue green, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: sprays of euhedral to subhedral prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Szymańskiite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside szymańskiite
Minerals reported to co-occur with szymańskiite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Hg₁₆Ni₆(CO₃)₁₂(OH)₁₂(H₃O)₈·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 4.86 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale blue
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Sprays of euhedral to subhedral prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- {1010}, poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A very rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a mercury–nickel-bearing sulfide deposit in silicate–carbonate rock hydrothermally altered from serpentinite
Where rockhounds find szymańskiite
Classic worldwide localities
- Clear Creek claim, near the Clear Creek mercury mine, New Idria district, San Benito Co., California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A very rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a mercury–nickel-bearing sulfide deposit in silicate–carbonate rock hydrothermally altered from serpentinite. If you start seeing cinnabar, montroydite, mercury in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: sprays of euhedral to subhedral prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify szymańskiite?+
Where is szymańskiite found?+
Is szymańskiite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like szymańskiite?+
What minerals are found with szymańskiite?+
What kind of rock does szymańskiite form in?+
What is szymańskiite used for?+
Find szymańskiite on the map
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