Identifying Nickel Minerals

Borax Bead Test. When dissolved in a borax bead in the oxidizing flame, nickel will give it a brownish color. If the bead is heated in the reducing flame for some time, it will become opaque because of the separation in it of metallic nickel. The brown color due to nickel is often masked by the deep blue color due to the presence of cobalt, which is frequently associated with nickel in its occurrence. In this case there is no simple test for nickel.

In Ammoniacal Solution. A comparatively strong acid solution of nickel will on the addition of an excess of ammonium hydroxide become light blue in color. The test should not be confused with the similar but stronger test copper.

Precipitation of Nickel by Dimethylglyoxime. Dissolve the mineral in nitric acid and neutralize with ammonium hydroxide. Filter if necessary. Add a little of a solution of dimethylglyoxime and a scarlet crystalline precipitate forms.

Learn and Start Prospecting & Mining for Gold and Other Deposits Igneous Rocks Services Required in a Mining Operation How to Optimize Mill Lining Design for Better Grinding Operations Crusher product curves and tables Froth Flotation Depth Gold Mining Canada Subdivision of Channel in Vein Gallery Gold Mining in Canada calculations involving primary crushing operations Primary Crusher Product Calibration Curves for Screened Feed How Ore Mineral Deposits Forms Vesuvianite Composition, Crystallization & Structure Design a Plant with Reserve or Surge Capacity