Balyakinite is a rare copper tellurite mineral typically found as small, bright green platy crystals or thin crusts in oxidized ore zones. It is primarily sought by advanced mineral collectors specializing in tellurium species and is best identified by its distinct green color and association with other rare secondary tellurium minerals.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Pale bluish green

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrare

Balyakinite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Pale bluish green
Transparency: Semitransparent

Is this balyakinite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch balyakinite with a known reference. Balyakinite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale bluish green.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: blue green, gray green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts, aggregates.

Often confused with

Balyakinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Teineite

Mohs 2.5

How to tell apart: Balyakinite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5).

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Balyakinite and adamantine to vitreous; silky if fibrous; dull to earthy if massive on Malachite.

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Often found alongside balyakinite

Minerals reported to co-occur with balyakinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: CuTeO₃
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 5.6 g/cm³
Colors: Blue green Gray green
Streak: Pale bluish green
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Platy crystals, crusts, aggregates
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A rare mineral formed in the oxidation zone as an alteration product of Cu–Te sulfides

Where rockhounds find balyakinite

Classic worldwide localities

Pionersk deposit, eastern Sayan, and the Aginsk gold telluride deposit, Kamchatka, Far Eastern Region, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A rare mineral formed in the oxidation zone as an alteration product of Cu–Te sulfides. If you start seeing tetrahedrite, chalcopyrite, tellurite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts, aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify balyakinite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is pale bluish green. Common colors include blue green, gray green.

Where is balyakinite found?+

Notable localities include Pionersk deposit, eastern Sayan, and the Aginsk gold telluride deposit, Kamchatka, Far Eastern Region, Russia.

Is balyakinite safe to handle?+

Balyakinite contains copper. Contains tellurium and copper; handle with care and wash hands after handling to avoid ingestion or inhalation of dust.

What rocks look like balyakinite?+

Balyakinite is most often confused with Teineite, Malachite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with balyakinite?+

Balyakinite commonly co-occurs with Tetrahedrite, Chalcopyrite, Tellurite, Bilibinskite, Bogdanovite, Teineite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does balyakinite form in?+

Where it forms: A rare mineral formed in the oxidation zone as an alteration product of Cu–Te sulfides. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is balyakinite used for?+

Balyakinite is used in collector.

Find balyakinite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.