Dravertite is an exceptionally rare sulfate mineral first discovered in the volcanic fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano in Russia. It typically occurs as small, colorless to white tabular crystals associated with other exotic copper and magnesium minerals formed through volcanic gases.

Hardness

~3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrare

Dravertite

Hardness: ~3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

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Is this dravertite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch dravertite with a known reference. Dravertite sits at Mohs ~3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, with a greenish hue.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

Dravertite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Chalcanthite

Mohs 2.5

How to tell apart: Dravertite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~3.5 vs. 2.5).

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Dravertite leaves white, Euchlorine leaves pistachio green.

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Often found alongside dravertite

Minerals reported to co-occur with dravertite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: MgCu(SO₄)₂
Mohs hardness: ~3.5
Density: 3.508 g/cm³
Colors: ColorlessWith a greenish hue
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals
Cleavage: One direction, imperfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Forms sublimates around active fumaroles

Where rockhounds find dravertite

Classic worldwide localities

Arsenatnaya and Yadovitaya fumaroles, Second Scoria Cone, Northern Breakthrough, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Far-Eastern Region, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Forms sublimates around active fumaroles. If you start seeing dolerophanite, euchlorine, tenorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify dravertite?+

Mohs hardness is ~3.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, with a greenish hue.

Where is dravertite found?+

Notable localities include Arsenatnaya and Yadovitaya fumaroles, Second Scoria Cone, Northern Breakthrough, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Far-Eastern Region, Russia.

Is dravertite safe to handle?+

Dravertite contains copper. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like dravertite?+

Dravertite is most often confused with Chalcanthite, Euchlorine. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with dravertite?+

Dravertite commonly co-occurs with Dolerophanite, Euchlorine, Tenorite, Hematite, Langbeinite, Steklite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does dravertite form in?+

Where it forms: Forms sublimates around active fumaroles. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is dravertite used for?+

Dravertite is used in collector.

Find dravertite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.