Shchurovskyite is an exceptionally rare arsenate mineral found in the high-temperature fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano in Russia. Collectors look for its characteristic greenish-yellow tabular crystals formed by volcanic gas deposition.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Pale greenish

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareAlarsite Group family

Shchurovskyite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Pale greenish
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this shchurovskyite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch shchurovskyite with a known reference. Shchurovskyite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale greenish.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: olive-green, dark olive-green, typically with a gray hue, olive drab.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, incrustations, aggregates.

Often confused with

Shchurovskyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Shchurovskyite leaves pale greenish, Popovite leaves light olive-green to light yellow-green.

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Often found alongside shchurovskyite

Minerals reported to co-occur with shchurovskyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: K₂CaCu₆O₂(AsO₄)₄
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 4.28 g/cm³
Colors: Olive-green Dark olive-greenTypically with a gray hueOlive drab
Streak: Pale greenish
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, incrustations, aggregates
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: As sublimate incrustations and/or the product of reaction between rock and volcanic gas on the surface of basalt scoria in an active fumarole

Where rockhounds find shchurovskyite

Classic worldwide localities

Arsenatnaya fumarole, Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: As sublimate incrustations and/or the product of reaction between rock and volcanic gas on the surface of basalt scoria in an active fumarole. If you start seeing dmisokolovite, bradaczekite, tenorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, incrustations, aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify shchurovskyite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. Luster: vitreous. The streak is pale greenish. Common colors include olive-green, dark olive-green, typically with a gray hue, olive drab.

Where is shchurovskyite found?+

Notable localities include Arsenatnaya fumarole, Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.

Is shchurovskyite safe to handle?+

Shchurovskyite contains arsenic and copper and calls for real care. Contains arsenic, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid creating dust during specimen preparation.

What rocks look like shchurovskyite?+

Shchurovskyite is most often confused with Lammerite, Popovite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with shchurovskyite?+

Shchurovskyite commonly co-occurs with Dmisokolovite, Bradaczekite, Tenorite, Johillerite, Tilasite, Melanarsite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does shchurovskyite form in?+

Where it forms: As sublimate incrustations and/or the product of reaction between rock and volcanic gas on the surface of basalt scoria in an active fumarole. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is shchurovskyite used for?+

Shchurovskyite is used in collector.

Find shchurovskyite on the map

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