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 — Volynskite leaves gray, Tetradymite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Volynskite leaves gray, Hessite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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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