Fedotovite is a rare copper sulfate mineral formed by volcanic fumarolic activity. It is characterized by its distinct green to bluish-green tabular crystals and is found primarily in the vents of the Tolbachik volcano.
Is this fedotovite?
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 fedotovite with a known reference. Fedotovite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fedotovite leaves a greenish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fedotovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, bluish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, incrustations.
Often confused with
Fedotovite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Fedotovite leaves greenish-white, Euchlorine leaves pale green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Fedotovite leaves greenish-white, Kamchatkite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous on Fedotovite and resinous on Kamchatkite.
Often found alongside fedotovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fedotovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₂Cu₃O(SO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 3.32 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Greenish-white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Incrustations
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumarolic Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and quality
Where rockhounds find fedotovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumarolic deposits country — that is the host setting where fedotovite typically forms. If you start seeing tenorite, langbeinite, sylvite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, incrustations habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find fedotovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
