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, so 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, so 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, 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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