Nabokoite is a rare volcanic mineral discovered in the fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano in Russia. It typically appears as distinct, bright greenish-yellow tabular crystals or thin crusts associated with other rare tellurium and copper minerals.
Is this nabokoite?
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 nabokoite with a known reference. Nabokoite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nabokoite leaves a yellowish-green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nabokoite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: greenish-yellow, yellowish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts, or granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Nabokoite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Nabokoite leaves yellowish-green, Empressite leaves black; luster reads submetallic on Nabokoite and metallic on Empressite.
How to tell apart: Nabokoite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); streak differs — Nabokoite leaves yellowish-green, Tellurite leaves white; luster reads submetallic on Nabokoite and adamantine on Tellurite.
Often found alongside nabokoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nabokoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₇TeO₄(SO₄)₅KCl
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 4.57 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish-green
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Crusts, Or Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumarolic Deposits in Volcanic Environments
- Typical price
- $100-500 per specimen
Where rockhounds find nabokoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tolbachik volcano (Kamchatka, Russia)
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumarolic deposits in volcanic environments country — that is the host setting where nabokoite typically forms. If you start seeing doloresite, sylvite, halite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crusts, or granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find nabokoite on the map
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