Vihorlatite is a rare lead-bismuth telluride-sulfide mineral first identified in the Vihorlat Mountains of Slovakia. It typically occurs as small metallic grains or tabular crystals within epithermal vein systems associated with other bismuth minerals.
Is this vihorlatite?
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 vihorlatite with a known reference. Vihorlatite sits at Mohs 2.5, 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: gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains, triangular crystals.
Often confused with
Vihorlatite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside vihorlatite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vihorlatite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Bi₂₄Se₁₇Te₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains, triangular crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Occurs in quartz-opal veinlets or secondary quartzites as anhedral grains
Where rockhounds find vihorlatite
Classic worldwide localities
- Poruba, Vihorlat Mountains, Slovakia (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Occurs in quartz-opal veinlets or secondary quartzites as anhedral grains. If you start seeing tetradymite, galena, gold in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, triangular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify vihorlatite?+
Where is vihorlatite found?+
Is vihorlatite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like vihorlatite?+
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Find vihorlatite on the map
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