Volynskite is a rare silver bismuth telluride mineral typically found in hydrothermal gold-telluride deposits and rare-metal pegmatites. Collectors generally find it as metallic, lead-gray grains or small tabular crystals embedded within quartz or associated sulfides.
Is this volynskite?
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 volynskite with a known reference. Volynskite 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. Volynskite leaves a gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Volynskite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white, lead-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Volynskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Volynskite leaves gray, Tetradymite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Volynskite leaves gray, Hessite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Volynskite leaves gray, Altaite leaves black.
Often found alongside volynskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with volynskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- AgBiTe₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 8.8-9.0 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per small specimen
Where rockhounds find volynskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Volodarsk-Volynsky, Ukraine
- Kochbulak, Uzbekistan
- Agua Blanca, Mexico
- Goldfield, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, granite pegmatites country, the host setting where volynskite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, microcline, bismuthinite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find volynskite on the map
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