Popovite is a rare copper arsenate mineral found in the high-temperature volcanic fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano. It typically appears as tiny, colorless to pale yellow tabular crystals formed through volcanic gas deposition. Due to its toxicity and extreme rarity, it is sought almost exclusively by advanced micromount collectors.

Hardness

~3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous to greasy

Streak

Light olive-green to light yellow-green

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Popovite

Hardness: ~3.5
Luster: Vitreous to greasy
Streak: Light olive-green to light yellow-green
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this popovite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch popovite with a known reference. Popovite sits at Mohs ~3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light olive-green to light yellow-green.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to greasy.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: olive-green, dark olive-green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts.

Often confused with

Popovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside popovite

Minerals reported to co-occur with popovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Cu₅O₂(AsO₄)₂
Mohs hardness: ~3.5
Density: 5.30 g/cm³
Colors: Olive-green Dark olive-green
Streak: Light olive-green to light yellow-green
Luster: Vitreous to greasy
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, crusts
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Formed as sublimates on basaltic scoria around an active volcanic fumarole

Where rockhounds find popovite

Classic worldwide localities

Arsenatnaya fumarole, Second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Formed as sublimates on basaltic scoria around an active volcanic fumarole. If you start seeing ericlaxmanite, kozyrevskite, urusovite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify popovite?+

Mohs hardness is ~3.5. Luster: vitreous to greasy. The streak is light olive-green to light yellow-green. Common colors include olive-green, dark olive-green.

Where is popovite found?+

Notable localities include Arsenatnaya fumarole, Second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia.

Is popovite safe to handle?+

Popovite contains arsenic and copper and calls for real care. Contains arsenic and copper; avoid ingestion, inhalation of dust, or contact with skin. Always wash hands after handling.

What rocks look like popovite?+

Popovite is most often confused with Lammerite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with popovite?+

Popovite commonly co-occurs with Ericlaxmanite, Kozyrevskite, Urusovite, Lammerite, Lammerite-β, Johillerite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does popovite form in?+

Where it forms: Formed as sublimates on basaltic scoria around an active volcanic fumarole. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is popovite used for?+

Popovite is used in collector.

Find popovite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.