Gaspéite
Mineral NiCO3
About it
Apple-green veins and masses cut as cabochons, often with brown matrix, and sold as an alternative to turquoise or chrysoprase. Named for the Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec; most cutting material comes from Western Australia.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Carbonate, calcite group
- Formula
- NiCO3
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 4.5–5
- Specific gravity
- 3.7–3.75
- Streak
- pale green
- Lustre
- vitreous (glassy), dull
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Colours
- apple green, light green
- Transparency
- translucent, opaque
- Cleavage and fracture
- good rhombohedral
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.