Talnakhite is a rare copper-iron sulfide found primarily in high-grade copper-nickel ore deposits. It is often visually indistinguishable from chalcopyrite in hand specimens without professional laboratory analysis, though it often occurs as part of complex ore mineral assemblages.
Is this talnakhite?
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 talnakhite with a known reference. Talnakhite 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. Talnakhite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Talnakhite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brass-yellow, bronze-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or interstitial fillings.
Often confused with
Talnakhite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside talnakhite
Minerals reported to co-occur with talnakhite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₉Fe₈S₁₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 4.8-4.9 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or Interstitial Fillings
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Copper-nickel Sulfide Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 per specimen
Where rockhounds find talnakhite
Classic worldwide localities
- Talnakh, Russia
- Norilsk, Russia
- Sudbury, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in copper-nickel sulfide deposits country — that is the host setting where talnakhite typically forms. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, cubanite, pentlandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or interstitial fillings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find talnakhite on the map
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