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 — Cupromakovickyite leaves black, Pavonite leaves grey-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — 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 — that is 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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Find cupromakovickyite on the map
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