Bogdanovite is a rare gold-copper-telluride mineral typically found as microscopic grains or intergrowths within hydrothermal ore deposits. It is primarily a collector's mineral due to its scarcity and often requires electron microprobe analysis for positive identification.
Is this bogdanovite?
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 bogdanovite with a known reference. Bogdanovite sits at Mohs 4-4.5, 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: semimetallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, bronze brown, bluish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive, tarnishes.
Often confused with
Bogdanovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Bogdanovite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4-4.5 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs, so Bogdanovite leaves black, Sylvanite leaves steel-gray to silver-white; luster reads semimetallic on Bogdanovite and metallic, brilliant on Sylvanite.
How to tell apart: Bogdanovite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4-4.5 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs, so Bogdanovite leaves black, Calaverite leaves greenish to yellowish gray; luster reads semimetallic on Bogdanovite and metallic on Calaverite.
How to tell apart: Bogdanovite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4-4.5 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs, so Bogdanovite leaves black, Gold leaves yellow; luster reads semimetallic on Bogdanovite and metallic on Gold.
Often found alongside bogdanovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bogdanovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Au,Te,Pb)₃(Cu,Fe)
- Mohs hardness
- 4-4.5
- Density
- 15.91 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Semimetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, tarnishes
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the oxidation zone of Au–Te deposits
Where rockhounds find bogdanovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
- Aginsk gold telluride deposit, Kamchatka, Far Eastern Region, Russia (type locality)
- Southern Dzhelambet deposit, central Kazakhstan (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the oxidation zone of Au–Te deposits. If you start seeing gold, bilibinskite, bezsmertnovite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive, tarnishes. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bogdanovite?+
Where is bogdanovite found?+
Is bogdanovite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like bogdanovite?+
What minerals are found with bogdanovite?+
What kind of rock does bogdanovite form in?+
What is bogdanovite used for?+
Find bogdanovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
