Averievite is an extremely rare copper vanadium mineral found primarily in the fumarolic deposits of the Tolbachik volcano. It typically occurs as small, dark green 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 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Averievite leaves a light green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Averievite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, blackish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy hexagonal crystals, micaceous aggregates.
Often confused with
Averievite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Averievite leaves light green, Tolbachite leaves yellowish red; luster reads vitreous on Averievite and subadamantine on Tolbachite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Averievite leaves light green, Kamchatkite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous on Averievite and resinous 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·n(Cu,Mg,Pb,K)Cl₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 4.26 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Hexagonal Crystals, Micaceous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumarole Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 thumbnail specimens
Where rockhounds find averievite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumarole deposits country — that is the host setting where averievite typically forms. If you start seeing tolbachite, tenorite, piypite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy hexagonal crystals, micaceous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find averievite on the map
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