Krivovichevite is a rare lead-aluminum tellurite sulfate mineral discovered in the fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano. It typically occurs as small, delicate, transparent to translucent platy crystals within volcanic vent deposits.
Is this krivovichevite?
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 krivovichevite with a known reference. Krivovichevite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, pale gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: pseudo cubic, water soluble.
Often confused with
Krivovichevite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Krivovichevite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs, so Krivovichevite leaves white, Magnolite leaves pale brown; luster reads vitreous on Krivovichevite and adamantine, silky in aggregates on Magnolite.
How to tell apart: Emmonsite is the harder of the two (Mohs ~5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Krivovichevite leaves white, Emmonsite leaves pale yellow.
Often found alongside krivovichevite
Minerals reported to co-occur with krivovichevite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₃Al(OH)₆SO₄(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 5.37 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Pseudo cubic, water soluble
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A low-temperature hydrothermal alteration product of galena and natrolite by oxidizing solutions in a zoned pegmatite vein within lujavrite
Where rockhounds find krivovichevite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mt. Lepkhe-Nelm, Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A low-temperature hydrothermal alteration product of galena and natrolite by oxidizing solutions in a zoned pegmatite vein within lujavrite. If you start seeing galena, anglesite, cerrusite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: pseudo cubic, water soluble. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify krivovichevite?+
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Is krivovichevite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like krivovichevite?+
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Find krivovichevite on the map
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