Vladkrivovichevite is an extremely rare lead-bearing mineral found in fumarolic deposits. It is typically identified by its delicate, platy, micaceous crystal habit and association with other lead-halide minerals in volcanic environments.
Is this vladkrivovichevite?
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 vladkrivovichevite with a known reference. Vladkrivovichevite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Vladkrivovichevite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Vladkrivovichevite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: thin platy crystals, micaceous aggregates.
Often confused with
Vladkrivovichevite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Vladkrivovichevite and vitreous on Krivovichevite.
How to tell apart: Laurionite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); luster reads pearly on Vladkrivovichevite and adamantine on Laurionite.
Often found alongside vladkrivovichevite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vladkrivovichevite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂₈O₁₆(OH)₂₈Cl₁₀(SeO₃)₄(CO₃)
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 5.68 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Thin Platy Crystals, Micaceous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumarole Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500+ per specimen
Where rockhounds find vladkrivovichevite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumarole deposits country, the host setting where vladkrivovichevite typically forms. If you start seeing sylvite, halite, anglesite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a thin platy crystals, micaceous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify vladkrivovichevite?+
Where is vladkrivovichevite found?+
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What rocks look like vladkrivovichevite?+
What minerals are found with vladkrivovichevite?+
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Find vladkrivovichevite on the map
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