Petrukite is a rare copper-iron-zinc-tin sulfide mineral that occurs primarily within complex hydrothermal sulfide deposits. It is typically found in massive, granular forms and is often visually indistinguishable from other dark-colored sulfides without sophisticated analytical techniques like X-ray diffraction or electron microprobe analysis.
Is this petrukite?
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 petrukite with a known reference. Petrukite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Petrukite leaves a brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Petrukite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: massive, anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Petrukite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Petrukite leaves brown, Sphalerite leaves white to yellow-brown; luster reads metallic on Petrukite and resinous to submetallic on Sphalerite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Petrukite leaves brown, Wurtzite leaves brownish-yellow to light brown; luster reads metallic on Petrukite and resinous on Wurtzite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Petrukite leaves brown, Stannite leaves black.
Often found alongside petrukite
Minerals reported to co-occur with petrukite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Cu,Fe,Zn,Ag)₄SnS₆
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 4.26 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Sulfide Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find petrukite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ikuno Mine, Japan
- Akenobe Mine, Japan
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal sulfide veins country — that is the host setting where petrukite typically forms. If you start seeing sphalerite, chalcopyrite, stannite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find petrukite on the map
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