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, so Rudashevskyite leaves black, Cinnabar leaves scarlet; luster reads metallic on Rudashevskyite and adamantine on Cinnabar.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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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