Averievite is an extremely rare copper vanadium mineral found primarily in the fumarolic deposits of the Tolbachik volcano. It typically occurs as small, black platy hexagonal crystals or micaceous coatings on volcanic rock, often associated with other exotic copper chlorides and vanadates.
Is this averievite?
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 averievite with a known reference. Averievite sits at Mohs ~4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic to resinous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic, pseudo hexagonal.
Often confused with
Averievite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Averievite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~4 vs. 2); streak differs, so Averievite leaves black, Tolbachite leaves yellowish red; luster reads metallic to resinous on Averievite and pearly on Tolbachite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Averievite leaves black, Kamchatkite leaves yellow; luster reads metallic to resinous on Averievite and vitreous on Kamchatkite.
Often found alongside averievite
Minerals reported to co-occur with averievite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₅O₂(VO₄)₂·CuCl₂
- Mohs hardness
- ~4
- Density
- 3.54 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic to resinous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, pseudo hexagonal
- Cleavage
- On {1010}, good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In volcanic fumaroles
Where rockhounds find averievite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tolbachik fissure volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In volcanic fumaroles. If you start seeing piypite, alumoklyuchevskite, fedotovite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic, pseudo hexagonal. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify averievite?+
Where is averievite found?+
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Find averievite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
