Atlasovite is an extremely rare copper-iron-bismuth oxychloride mineral discovered in the volcanic fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano in Russia. It typically appears as dark, metallic-looking platy or tabular crystals formed by gas sublimation. Collectors prize it for its unique chemistry and extreme locality specificity.
Is this atlasovite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch atlasovite with a known reference. Atlasovite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Atlasovite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Atlasovite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular aggregates.
Often confused with
Atlasovite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Atlasovite leaves black, Nabokoite leaves yellowish-green; luster reads metallic on Atlasovite and submetallic on Nabokoite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Atlasovite leaves black, Ponomarevite leaves orange-red; luster reads metallic on Atlasovite and vitreous on Ponomarevite.
Often found alongside atlasovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with atlasovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₆Bi₂Fe₃O₂Cl₁₀
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 4.6-4.7 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Tabular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumarolic Volcanic Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 for small thumbnail specimens
Where rockhounds find atlasovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumarolic volcanic deposits country — that is the host setting where atlasovite typically forms. If you start seeing nabokoite, ponomarevite, hematite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, tabular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find atlasovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
