Ikunolite is a rare bismuth sulfide mineral typically found as metallic, lead-gray foliated or lamellar masses. It is most commonly identified by its distinct cleavage and presence in bismuth-rich hydrothermal environments, often appearing alongside other bismuth-bearing sulfides.
Is this ikunolite?
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 ikunolite with a known reference. Ikunolite 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. Ikunolite leaves a gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ikunolite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, tin-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: lamellar, massive, foliated aggregates.
Often confused with
Ikunolite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ikunolite leaves gray, Bismuthinite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ikunolite leaves gray, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ikunolite leaves gray, Tetradymite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside ikunolite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ikunolite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Bi₄S₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 7.45 g/cm³
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Lamellar, Massive, Foliated Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find ikunolite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ikunolita mine, Japan
- Sweden
- China
- Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where ikunolite typically forms. If you start seeing bismuthinite, galena, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a lamellar, massive, foliated aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find ikunolite on the map
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