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.
Fracture is uneven.
Hardness is 4.5 - 5. Streak is yellowish green. Associated Minerals include millerite , pentlandite , skutterudite , annabergite and other nickel minerals. Notable Occurrences include the type locality of Gaspe' Peninsula, Lemieux Township, Gaspe'-ouest County, Quebec and Sudbury, Ontario, Canada and a new source of carvable material from Kambalda and Widgie Mooltha which is North of Perth, Australia. Best Field Indicators are color, locality, reaction to acids, cleavage and density.