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 — that is 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
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What rocks look like vladkrivovichevite?+
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Find vladkrivovichevite on the map
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