Vavřínite is an extremely rare antimony telluride mineral discovered in the Czech Republic. It typically occurs as microscopic grains embedded within hydrothermal gold-bearing veins, making it primarily a species for advanced mineralogists and systematic collectors.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareStannite Group family

Vavřínite

Hardness: ~2
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this vavřínite?

4-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 vavřínite with a known reference. Vavřínite sits at Mohs ~2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: silvery gray.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: inclusions, microscopic crystals.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Stibiopalladinite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5 vs. ~2).

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Often found alongside vavřínite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ni₂SbTe₂
Mohs hardness: ~2
Density: 7.79 g/cm³
Colors: Silvery gray
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Inclusions, microscopic crystals
Cleavage: Perfect on {0001}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In a calc-alkaline basalt dike likely the product of low-temperature hydrothermal alteration of primary minerals near pentlandite

Where rockhounds find vavřínite

Classic worldwide localities

Kunratice Cu-Ni sulfide deposit, near Šluknov, northern Czech Republic

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In a calc-alkaline basalt dike likely the product of low-temperature hydrothermal alteration of primary minerals near pentlandite. If you start seeing pentlandite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify vavřínite?+

Mohs hardness is ~2. Luster: metallic. Common colors include silvery gray.

Where is vavřínite found?+

Notable localities include Kunratice Cu-Ni sulfide deposit, near Šluknov, northern Czech Republic.

Is vavřínite safe to handle?+

Vavřínite contains antimony and nickel. Contains tellurium and antimony; wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid inhaling dust.

What rocks look like vavřínite?+

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

What minerals are found with vavřínite?+

Vavřínite commonly co-occurs with Pentlandite, Pyrrhotite, Chalcopyrite, Violarite, Ni-bearing pyrite, Melonite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does vavřínite form in?+

Where it forms: In a calc-alkaline basalt dike likely the product of low-temperature hydrothermal alteration of primary minerals near pentlandite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is vavřínite used for?+

Vavřínite is used in collector.

Find vavřínite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.