Rudashevskyite is a very rare mercury-zinc sulfide mineral occurring primarily as microscopic grains within epithermal deposit assemblages. It is best identified through laboratory analysis of its opaque, metallic-grey composition due to its extreme scarcity in the field.
Is this rudashevskyite?
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 rudashevskyite with a known reference. Rudashevskyite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Rudashevskyite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Rudashevskyite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Rudashevskyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Rudashevskyite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs — Rudashevskyite leaves black, Cinnabar leaves scarlet; luster reads metallic on Rudashevskyite and adamantine on Cinnabar.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Rudashevskyite leaves black, Sphalerite leaves white to yellow-brown; luster reads metallic on Rudashevskyite and resinous to submetallic on Sphalerite.
Often found alongside rudashevskyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rudashevskyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Hg,Zn)S
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 6.12 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Epithermal Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 for micro-mount specimens
Where rockhounds find rudashevskyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Koryak-Kamchatka fold belt, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in epithermal ore deposits country — that is the host setting where rudashevskyite typically forms. If you start seeing cinnabar, pyrite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find rudashevskyite on the map
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