Kuramite is a rare copper-tin sulfide mineral discovered in the Kurama Mountains. It typically occurs as small, metallic grains within hydrothermal ore deposits and is highly prized by advanced mineral collectors for its scarcity.
Is this kuramite?
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 kuramite with a known reference. Kuramite 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: metallic.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, steel gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: inclusions, microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Kuramite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kuramite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kuramite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₃SnS₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 4.56 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Metallic
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Inclusions, microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In gold–sulfide–quartz veins, as inclusions in goldfieldite (Kochbulak deposit, Uzbekistan)
Where rockhounds find kuramite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
- Zuni mine, near Silverton, San Juan Co., Colorado, USA
- Gold Crater district, Nye Co., Nevada, USA
- Kochbulak gold deposit, Chatkal-Kuramin Mountains, eastern Uzbekistan (type locality)
- Gunheath china clay pit, St. Austell, Cornwall, England
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In gold–sulfide–quartz veins, as inclusions in goldfieldite (Kochbulak deposit, Uzbekistan). If you start seeing goldfieldite, famatinite, hessite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kuramite?+
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Is kuramite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like kuramite?+
What minerals are found with kuramite?+
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Find kuramite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
