Gaspeite is found as a secondary mineral around nickel sulfide deposits. It was thought of as just a gangue mineral by miners when it was encountered and usually placed in the mines dumps or tailings. A gangue mineral is a mineral that probably contains the ore metal, but its chemistry is such that processing it is either impossible or unprofitable. Such was the case with gaspeite despite being rich in nickel. Gaspeite is named for its type locality of Gaspe' Peninsula, Lemieux Township, Gaspe'-ouest County, Quebec, Canada, but the best material of late is coming from North of Perth, Australia.
Color is a pale green to apple green.
Luster is vitreous to dull. Crystals are usually translucent, massive material is opaque. Crystal Habits include rhombohedrons and scalenohedrons, but crystals are very rare. More commonly found massive. Cleavage is perfect in 3 directions forming rhombohedrons.