Kolymite is a rare copper-mercury amalgam found in gold-bearing hydrothermal veins. It typically presents as metallic, silvery-white massive or granular aggregates and is highly sought after by advanced mineral collectors due to its unique chemical composition and limited locality availability.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Kolymite

Hardness: 4
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

Is this kolymite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch kolymite with a known reference. Kolymite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: tin white, brownish black, black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, tarnishes.

Often confused with

Kolymite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Native Mercury

Mohs 0

How to tell apart: Kolymite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 0).

Compare →

Often found alongside kolymite

Minerals reported to co-occur with kolymite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Cu₇Hg₆
Mohs hardness: 4
Density: 13.0 g/cm³
Colors: Tin white Brownish black Black
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Microscopic crystals, tarnishes
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Found in the heavy mineral fraction of concentrates (Magadan region, USSR)

Where rockhounds find kolymite

Classic worldwide localities

Krokhalin antimony deposit, Magadan region, basin of the Kolyma River, Yakutia, USSR
A prospect near Marcelita, about 70 km southeast of Copiapo, Chile

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Found in the heavy mineral fraction of concentrates (Magadan region, USSR). If you start seeing copper, stibnite, berthierite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, tarnishes. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify kolymite?+

Mohs hardness is 4. Luster: metallic. The streak is black. Common colors include tin white, brownish black, black.

Where is kolymite found?+

Notable localities include Krokhalin antimony deposit, Magadan region, basin of the Kolyma River, Yakutia, USSR; A prospect near Marcelita, about 70 km southeast of Copiapo, Chile.

Is kolymite safe to handle?+

Kolymite contains copper and mercury and calls for real care. Contains mercury and copper; avoid ingestion, inhalation of dust, or prolonged skin contact. Wash hands thoroughly after handling specimens.

What rocks look like kolymite?+

Kolymite is most often confused with Native Mercury. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with kolymite?+

Kolymite commonly co-occurs with Copper, Stibnite, Berthierite, Pyrite, Arsenopyrite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does kolymite form in?+

Where it forms: Found in the heavy mineral fraction of concentrates (Magadan region, USSR). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is kolymite used for?+

Kolymite is used in collector.

Find kolymite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.