Mineral description : Nickeline

Nickeline with annabergite from Telkkälä, Finland.

Nickeline with gersdorffite and chalcopyrite in a fissure, from Lainejaur, Sweden.

Mineral class	Sulphides : Nickeline - Cobaltine Skutterudite group.
Chemical formula	NiAs
Crystal system	Hexagonal.
Habitus	Rarely as small pyramidal crystals. Often massive, kidney like or columnar.
Cleavage	[1010] imperfect, [0001] imperfect, fracture uneven.
Hardness	5-5.5
Density	7.7-7.8
Color	Pale copper red, tarnish blackish, opaque.
Streak	Brownish black.
Luster	Metallic.
Description
Occurance	Forms in norites and hydrothermal veins.
Associates	Ores of silver, nickel and cobalt.
Notes	Soluble in nitric acid, producing a green solution. Easily fused. It smells garlic when heated.
Locations	A rare mineral in Sweden. Lainijaur, Västerbotten. As impregnations and veins in brecciated rock. Together with gersdorffite, chalcopyrite and other Co-Ni minerals. Telkkälä, Finland.

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