Cupromakovickyite is a rare sulfosalt mineral found primarily in hydrothermal sulfide deposits. It typically appears as lead-gray, platy metallic grains and is most often identified through analytical techniques in association with other rare bismuth minerals.
Is this cupromakovickyite?
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 cupromakovickyite with a known reference. Cupromakovickyite sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cupromakovickyite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cupromakovickyite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, steel-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Cupromakovickyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Cupromakovickyite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Cupromakovickyite leaves black, Pavonite leaves grey-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cupromakovickyite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Cupromakovickyite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs, so Cupromakovickyite leaves black, Tetradymite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside cupromakovickyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cupromakovickyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₄Pb₈Bi₂₀S₃₈
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 6.79 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find cupromakovickyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Makový vrch, Czech Republic
- Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia
- Pachapaqui District, Peru
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where cupromakovickyite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, chalcopyrite, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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