Fourteen samples of the so-called garnierite from New Caledonia have been examined by means of X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and diffraction, chemical and spectrochemical analyses, infrared absorption, differential thermal analysis and heat treatment. The presence of antigorite (platy serpentine), “talc”, chrysotile (fibrous serpentine) and chlorite type minerals has been affirmed. The results of chemical analysis, infrared absorption and differential thermal analysis correlate to those structural types. Neither sepiolite nor nickel-bearing saponite, pimelite, has been found. Especially, the common occurrence of pimelite is rather doubtful. The results of attempt to synthesize nickel hydrosilicate are also presented.