Kalininite is a rare zinc chromium sulfide belonging to the spinel group. It typically occurs as small, sharp octahedral crystals embedded in low-temperature hydrothermal veins, most famously found in the mercury-antimony deposits of Kyrgyzstan.
Is this kalininite?
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 kalininite with a known reference. Kalininite 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.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral crystals.
Often confused with
Kalininite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kalininite leaves black, Chromite leaves brown; luster reads adamantine on Kalininite and metallic to submetallic on Chromite.
How to tell apart: Kalininite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs, so Kalininite leaves black, Sphalerite leaves pale brown to pale yellow and white; luster reads adamantine on Kalininite and resinous to adamantine on Sphalerite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kalininite leaves black, Linnaeite leaves grayish black; luster reads adamantine on Kalininite and metallic, easily tarnished on Linnaeite.
Often found alongside kalininite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kalininite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ZnCr₂S₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 4.045 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a garnet-pyroxene mixture in diopside-quartz-calcite rocks
Where rockhounds find kalininite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pereval marble quarry, near Slyudyanka, Sayan Mountains, southern Baikal region, eastern Siberia, Russia (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a garnet-pyroxene mixture in diopside-quartz-calcite rocks. If you start seeing karelianite, eskolaite, diopside in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: octahedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find kalininite on the map
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