Jankovićite is an extremely rare thallium-antimony sulfosalt known primarily from the unique Allchar deposit in North Macedonia. It typically forms small, vibrant red to orange tabular crystals that can be difficult to distinguish from associated arsenic sulfides without analytical testing.
Is this jankovićite?
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 jankovićite with a known reference. Jankovićite sits at Mohs 1.5-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Jankovićite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Jankovićite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Jankovićite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Jankovićite leaves yellow, Realgar leaves orange-red; luster reads adamantine on Jankovićite and resinous on Realgar.
How to tell apart: Luster reads adamantine on Jankovićite and resinous on Orpiment.
Often found alongside jankovićite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jankovićite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Tl₅Sb₉S₁₇
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 4.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Dolomite
- Typical price
- $100-500+ for specimen fragments
Where rockhounds find jankovićite
Classic worldwide localities
- Allchar deposit, North Macedonia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in dolomite country — that is the host setting where jankovićite typically forms. If you start seeing realgar, orpiment, lorandite 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 jankovićite on the map
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