Itelmenite is a rare copper-bearing sulfate mineral found in volcanic fumaroles. It typically appears as small, tabular monoclinic crystals and is primarily a scientific curiosity for advanced mineral collectors.
Is this itelmenite?
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 itelmenite with a known reference. Itelmenite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Itelmenite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Itelmenite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Itelmenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Itelmenite leaves white, Fedotovite leaves greenish-white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Itelmenite leaves white, Kamchatkite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous on Itelmenite and resinous on Kamchatkite.
Often found alongside itelmenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with itelmenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂CuMg₂(SO₄)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.89 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumarole Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find itelmenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumarole deposits country — that is the host setting where itelmenite typically forms. If you start seeing tenorite, langbeinite, fedotovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find itelmenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
