Bukovite is a rare thallium copper selenide mineral typically found as small, opaque grains within hydrothermal selenide ore deposits. Collectors primarily find it in association with other selenide minerals in specific localities such as the type-locality at the Bukov mine in the Czech Republic.
Is this bukovite?
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 bukovite with a known reference. Bukovite sits at Mohs 2, 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.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: inclusions.
Often confused with
Bukovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Bukovite leaves black, Crookesite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Berzelianite is the harder of the two (Mohs 2.7 vs. 2); streak differs, so Bukovite leaves black, Berzelianite leaves shining.
Often found alongside bukovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bukovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Cu₃Fe)Tl₂Se₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 7.36 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Inclusions
- Cleavage
- Good on {001}, imperfect on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In selenium-bearing veins of hydrothermal origin
Where rockhounds find bukovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bukov (type locality), near Tisnova, Czech Republic
- Petrovice uranium deposit, near Ždǎr, Czech Republic
- Předbořice uranium deposit, near Krásna Hora, Czech Republic
- Skrikerum, near Tryserum, Kalmar, Sweden
- Chaméane uranium mine, near Vernet-la-Varenne, Puy-de-Dôme, France
- Tuminico, Sierra de Cacho, La Rioja Province, Argentina
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In selenium-bearing veins of hydrothermal origin. If you start seeing clausthalite, eskebornite, eucairite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bukovite?+
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Find bukovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
