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 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tolovkite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tolovkite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, massive.
Often confused with
Tolovkite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Cobaltite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5 vs. 3.5); streak differs — Tolovkite leaves black, Cobaltite leaves greyish-black.
How to tell apart: Gersdorffite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5 vs. 3.5); streak differs — Tolovkite leaves black, Gersdorffite leaves grayish-black.
How to tell apart: Hollingworthite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 3.5); streak differs — 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
- 3.5
- Density
- 8.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Copper-nickel Sulfide Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per small specimen
Where rockhounds find tolovkite
Classic worldwide localities
- Talnakh deposit, Russia
- Norilsk, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in copper-nickel sulfide deposits country — that is the host setting where tolovkite typically forms. If you start seeing platinum group minerals, chalcopyrite, cubanite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find tolovkite on the map
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