Dokuchaevite is a rare copper vanadate that forms dark red bladed to prismatic crystals. It is a sublimate at an active volcanic fumarole. It was first described from the Yadovitaya ('Poisonous') fumarole, Kamchatka peninsula, Far-Eastern Region, Russia.
Is this dokuchaevite?
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 dokuchaevite with a known reference. Dokuchaevite 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: reddish black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: bladed to prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Dokuchaevite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Chalcopyrite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); streak differs, so Dokuchaevite leaves reddish black, Chalcopyrite leaves greenish black; luster reads adamantine on Dokuchaevite and metallic on Chalcopyrite.
How to tell apart: Bornite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.25 vs. 2); streak differs, so Dokuchaevite leaves reddish black, Bornite leaves pale grayish black; luster reads adamantine on Dokuchaevite and metallic on Bornite.
Often found alongside dokuchaevite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dokuchaevite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₈O₂(VO₄)₃Cl₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 4.142 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Reddish black
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed to prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- hydrothermal selenide deposits
Where rockhounds find dokuchaevite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khaidarkan Sb-Hg deposit, Kyrgyzstan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: hydrothermal selenide deposits. If you start seeing berzelianite, eskebornite, umangite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: bladed to prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find dokuchaevite on the map
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