Nevskite is a rare bismuth selenium sulfide mineral that typically occurs as microscopic inclusions or small anhedral grains. It is most commonly found in epithermal gold-silver ore deposits and is prized primarily by mineral collectors for its rarity and distinct metallic luster.
Is this nevskite?
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 nevskite with a known reference. Nevskite sits at Mohs 1.5-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nevskite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nevskite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel-gray, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Nevskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nevskite leaves black, Bismuthinite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nevskite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nevskite leaves black, Tetradymite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside nevskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nevskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Bi(Se,S)
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 8.52 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Epithermal Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find nevskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Nevskoye deposit, Magadan Oblast, Russia
- various epithermal gold-silver deposits
Field-hunting tip
Look in epithermal hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where nevskite typically forms. If you start seeing bismuth, gold, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find nevskite on the map
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