Nipalarsite is a rare nickel palladium arsenide. It occurs in sulfide-bearing, intercumulus orthopyroxenite of a layered ultramafic intrusion. It was first described from Monchetundra layered intrusion, Kola Peninsula, Russia.
Is this nipalarsite?
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 nipalarsite with a known reference. Nipalarsite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nipalarsite leaves a gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nipalarsite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Nipalarsite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nipalarsite leaves gray, Senarmontite leaves white; luster reads metallic on Nipalarsite and resinous to subadamantine on Senarmontite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nipalarsite leaves gray, Valentinite leaves white; luster reads metallic on Nipalarsite and adamantine on Valentinite.
Often found alongside nipalarsite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nipalarsite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ni₈Pd₃As₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 9.60 g/cm³
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Carbonatite
Where rockhounds find nipalarsite
Classic worldwide localities
- Monchetundra layered intrusion, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in carbonatite country, the host setting where nipalarsite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, baryte, apatite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find nipalarsite on the map
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