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, so 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, so 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, 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
- 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, 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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