Poyarkovite is a rare mercury oxychloride mineral that forms in association with other mercury species in hydrothermal deposits. Collectors should look for its distinct deep reddish-brown color and adamantine luster, typically found as tiny, sparse crystals in oxidized zones of mercury mines.
Is this poyarkovite?
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 poyarkovite with a known reference. Poyarkovite sits at Mohs 2-2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: red.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark red, red, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Poyarkovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Poyarkovite leaves red, Cinnabar leaves scarlet; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Poyarkovite and adamantine, inclining to metallic when dark; dull in friable material on Cinnabar.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Poyarkovite leaves red, Calomel leaves pale yellowish white; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Poyarkovite and adamantine on Calomel.
Often found alongside poyarkovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with poyarkovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Hg₃OCl
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 9.56 g/cm³
- Streak
- Red
- Luster
- Vitreous to adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of mercury deposits
Where rockhounds find poyarkovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khaydarkan mercury deposit, Fergana Valley, Alai Range, south Kyrgyzstan
- Arzak mercury deposit, ~12 km northeast of the Terlig-Khaya mercury mine, Pii-Khem district, Tuva Republic, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of mercury deposits. If you start seeing eglestonite, calomel, terlinguaite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify poyarkovite?+
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Is poyarkovite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like poyarkovite?+
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Find poyarkovite on the map
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