Tolovkite is an extremely rare iridium antimony sulfide primarily found in the rich ore zones of the Norilsk-Talnakh region in Russia. It typically occurs as microscopic anhedral grains associated with other platinum-group minerals, making it a highly sought-after prize for advanced mineral collectors.
Is this tolovkite?
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 tolovkite with a known reference. Tolovkite sits at Mohs 7.5, 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: steel gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Tolovkite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Tolovkite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7.5 vs. 5.5); streak differs, so Tolovkite leaves black, Cobaltite leaves grayish black.
How to tell apart: Tolovkite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7.5 vs. 5.5); streak differs, so Tolovkite leaves black, Gersdorffite leaves grayish black.
How to tell apart: Tolovkite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7.5 vs. >6); streak differs, so Tolovkite leaves black, Hollingworthite leaves grayish-black.
Often found alongside tolovkite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tolovkite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- IrSbS
- Mohs hardness
- 7.5
- Density
- 10.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a placer derived from an Alpine-type gabbro massif (Tolovka River, Russia)
Where rockhounds find tolovkite
Classic worldwide localities
- Fox Gulch, Goodnews Bay, Alaska, USA
- Tolovka River placer, Ust’-Bel’skii massif, Magadan district (type locality), Russia
- Voykar-Syn’ya and Rayiz massifs, Polar Ural Mountains, Russia
- Similkameen River, British Columbia, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a placer derived from an Alpine-type gabbro massif (Tolovka River, Russia). If you start seeing os–ir alloys, laurite, pentlandite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find tolovkite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
