Mitrofanovite is an extremely rare platinum telluride-stannide known primarily from the Konder Massif in Russia. It typically occurs as microscopic inclusions within platinum-group element alloys and is highly prized by advanced mineral species collectors.
Is this mitrofanovite?
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 mitrofanovite with a known reference. Mitrofanovite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: irregular grains and inclusions.
Often confused with
Mitrofanovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Sperrylite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 3.5); streak differs, so Mitrofanovite leaves gray, Sperrylite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Mitrofanovite leaves gray, Cooperite leaves black.
Often found alongside mitrofanovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with mitrofanovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pt₃Te₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 11.18 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Irregular grains and inclusions
- Cleavage
- Good on {00*1}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In low-sulfide disseminated Cu-Ni-PGE ore in olivine-bearing gabbronorite in a layered igneous complex
Where rockhounds find mitrofanovite
Classic worldwide localities
- East Chuarvy deposit, Fedorovo-Pana complex, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In low-sulfide disseminated Cu-Ni-PGE ore in olivine-bearing gabbronorite in a layered igneous complex. If you start seeing moncheite, lukkulaisvaaraite, kotulskite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular grains and inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify mitrofanovite?+
Where is mitrofanovite found?+
Is mitrofanovite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like mitrofanovite?+
What minerals are found with mitrofanovite?+
What kind of rock does mitrofanovite form in?+
What is mitrofanovite used for?+
Find mitrofanovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
