Janchevite is an extremely rare lead-zinc-manganese sulfosalt found almost exclusively at the Allchar deposit in North Macedonia. It typically forms small, distinct tetrahedral crystals associated with thallium minerals like lorándite. Collectors prize it for its unique chemistry and extreme geographic specificity.
Is this janchevite?
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 janchevite with a known reference. Janchevite 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. Janchevite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Janchevite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: tetrahedral crystals.
Often confused with
Janchevite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Janchevite leaves yellow, Galkhaite leaves yellow-orange; luster reads adamantine on Janchevite and resinous on Galkhaite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Janchevite leaves yellow, Sphalerite leaves white to yellow-brown; luster reads adamantine on Janchevite and resinous to submetallic on Sphalerite.
Often found alongside janchevite
Minerals reported to co-occur with janchevite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₄Zn₆Mn₂Sb₆S₂₀
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 5.65 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Tetrahedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Arsenic-thallium Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 per specimen
Where rockhounds find janchevite
Classic worldwide localities
- Allchar deposit, North Macedonia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal arsenic-thallium deposits country — that is the host setting where janchevite typically forms. If you start seeing lorándite, realgar, orpiment in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tetrahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find janchevite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
