Hydromagnesite is one of those minerals that has a name that sounds more like a chemical than a mineral. It is either named for its chemistry or for being the hydrated relative of magnesite. Other hydrated magnesium carbonates include dypingite, giorgiosite and artinite. Artinite is often associated with hydromagnesite as both are commonly found as alteration products of serpentine, brucite and other magnesium rich minerals. Both minerals can form acicular aggregates although hydromagnesite's crystals are more platy. Hydromagnesite aggregate "puffballs" are sometimes found attached to the needle-like crystals of artinite specimens.