Niksergievite is a rare barium aluminum carbonate. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2002, from material found at the Tekeli lead-zinc mine, southeastern Kazakhstan.
Is this niksergievite?
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 niksergievite with a known reference. Niksergievite sits at Mohs 1-1.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: light greenish white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy, rosette.
Often confused with
Niksergievite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Clintonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-6 vs. 1-1.5); luster reads pearly on Niksergievite and vitreous, pearly, submetallic on Clintonite.
How to tell apart: Margarite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4.5 vs. 1-1.5).
Often found alongside niksergievite
Minerals reported to co-occur with niksergievite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₂Al₃(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(CO₃)(OH)₆·nH₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1-1.5
- Density
- 3.16 g/cm³
- Colors
- Light greenish white
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy, rosette
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Found in intensively metamorphosed dolomites and limestones enriched in galena, sphalerite and pyrite
Where rockhounds find niksergievite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tekeli Pb-Zn mine (now abandoned) is located in southeast Kazakhstan, 44° N, 78° E, near the village of Tekeli (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Found in intensively metamorphosed dolomites and limestones enriched in galena, sphalerite and pyrite. If you start seeing fluorite, quartz, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy, rosette. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify niksergievite?+
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What rocks look like niksergievite?+
What minerals are found with niksergievite?+
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Find niksergievite on the map
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