Florensovite is a rare copper chromium sulfide member of the spinel group. It is primarily identified in hydrothermal sulfide deposits and typically appears as small, metallic dark grey to black grains.
Is this florensovite?
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 florensovite with a known reference. Florensovite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine to metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: granular to massive.
Often confused with
Florensovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Florensovite leaves black, Linnaeite leaves grayish black; luster reads adamantine to metallic luster on Florensovite and metallic, easily tarnished on Linnaeite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads adamantine to metallic luster on Florensovite and metallic on Carrollite.
Often found alongside florensovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with florensovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu(Cr₁.₅Sb₀.₅)S₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 4.28 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Adamantine to metallic luster
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Granular to massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Found in a granulite complex, in Cr- and V-rich metasediments
Where rockhounds find florensovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pereval marble quarry, near Slyudyanka, Sayan Mountains, south of Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Found in a granulite complex, in Cr- and V-rich metasediments. If you start seeing cuprian kalininite, uvarovite–goldmanite, karelianite–eskolaite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular to massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find florensovite on the map
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