Gaspeite - Encyclopedia
Class : Carbonates, nitrates, borates
Subclass : Anhydrous carbonates
Crystal system : Trigonal
Chemistry : (Ni,Mg,Fe)CO3
Rarity : Very rare
Gaspeite is a nickel carbonate, in which the nickel can be partially replaced by iron or magnesium. It is an extremely rare secondary mineral known in the oxidation zones of nickel deposits and in practically pure veins up to 60 cm thick, associated with primary and secondary nickel minerals. It owes its name to its location of discovery : the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec (Canada). Gaspeite occurs in small rhombohedral crystals of 0.5 mm at most or regular masses of light green color. It can be cut for jewelry.
Main photo : 25.70 ct gaspeite from Australia - B. Chatenet Collection
Gaspeite in the World
Twinning
No twin known for this mineral species.
Fakes and treatments
No fakes recorded for this mineral species.
Hardness : 4.5 to 5
Density : 3.71 to 3.91
Fracture : Irregular
Streak : Yellow, green
TP : Translucent
RI : 1.610 to 1.830
Birefringence : 0.220
Optical character : Uniaxial -
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : None
Solubility : Acids
Magnetism : None
Radioactivity : None