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, so Atlasovite leaves black, Nabokoite leaves yellowish-green; luster reads metallic on Atlasovite and submetallic on Nabokoite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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
How do you identify atlasovite?+
Where is atlasovite found?+
How much is atlasovite worth?+
Is atlasovite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like atlasovite?+
What minerals are found with atlasovite?+
What kind of rock does atlasovite form in?+
What is atlasovite used for?+
Find atlasovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
