Dmisokolovite is an extremely rare copper-aluminum arsenate mineral first discovered in the volcanic fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano in Russia. It typically appears as small, dark red, tabular crystals associated with other rare secondary volcanic minerals.
Is this dmisokolovite?
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 dmisokolovite with a known reference. Dmisokolovite sits at Mohs 2-2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Dmisokolovite leaves a orange-red streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Dmisokolovite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark red, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Dmisokolovite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Lammerite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs — Dmisokolovite leaves orange-red, Lammerite leaves light green; luster reads adamantine on Dmisokolovite and vitreous on Lammerite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Dmisokolovite leaves orange-red, Popovite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Dmisokolovite and vitreous on Popovite.
Often found alongside dmisokolovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dmisokolovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₆AlAsO₄(SO₄)(OH)₆·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Orange-red
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumarolic Deposits
- Typical price
- $200-1000 per specimen
Where rockhounds find dmisokolovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumarolic deposits country — that is the host setting where dmisokolovite typically forms. If you start seeing lammerite, popovite, tenorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify dmisokolovite?+
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What rocks look like dmisokolovite?+
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Find dmisokolovite on the map
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