Putoranite is a rare copper-iron sulfide mineral typically found in the differentiated sulfide deposits of the Talnakh region in Russia. It usually occurs as anhedral grains within massive ore samples, often intergrown with other copper-rich sulfides like talnakhite and cubanite.
Is this putoranite?
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 putoranite with a known reference. Putoranite sits at Mohs 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brass yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: aggregates, crystalline.
Often confused with
Putoranite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside putoranite
Minerals reported to co-occur with putoranite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₄₋ₓFeₓS₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 4.48 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, crystalline
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In massive Cu–Ni-sulfide ores (Oktyabr mine, Russia); in Cu–Ni mineralization in peridotite (Sopcha massif, Russia)
Where rockhounds find putoranite
Classic worldwide localities
- Oktyabr mine, Talnakh area, Noril’sk region, western Siberia (type locality), and in the Sopcha massif, Monchegorsk pluton, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In massive Cu–Ni-sulfide ores (Oktyabr mine, Russia); in Cu–Ni mineralization in peridotite (Sopcha massif, Russia). If you start seeing mooihoekite, talnakhite, cabriite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, crystalline. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify putoranite?+
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Is putoranite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like putoranite?+
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Find putoranite on the map
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