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.
Is this popovite?
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 popovite with a known reference. Popovite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Popovite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Popovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal 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
- Density
- 3.59 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumarole Deposits of Basaltic Lava
- Typical price
- $200-1000+ per specimen
Where rockhounds find popovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumarole deposits of basaltic lava country — that is the host setting where popovite typically forms. If you start seeing lammerite, tenorite, hematite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify popovite?+
Where is popovite found?+
How much is popovite worth?+
Is popovite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like popovite?+
What minerals are found with popovite?+
What kind of rock does popovite form in?+
What is popovite used for?+
Find popovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
