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?
4-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 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, brown.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: granular, microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Petrukite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Petrukite and resinous to adamantine on Sphalerite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Petrukite and resinous, brilliant submetallic on crystal faces on Wurtzite.
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,Ag)₂(Fe,Zn)(Sn,In)S₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 4.61 g/cm³
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Granular, microscopic crystals
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- All rights reserved
Where rockhounds find petrukite
Classic worldwide localities
- Herb claim, Turnagain River, British Columbia, Canada (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: All rights reserved. If you start seeing sphalerite, chalcopyrite, stannite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify petrukite?+
Where is petrukite found?+
Is petrukite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like petrukite?+
What minerals are found with petrukite?+
What kind of rock does petrukite form in?+
What is petrukite used for?+
Find petrukite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
