Wulffite is an exceptionally rare copper-potassium sulfate mineral known primarily from the fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano in Russia. It typically appears as bright green tabular crystals associated with other complex sulfate minerals in volcanic settings. Because of its extreme rarity and specific formation environment, it is highly sought after by advanced mineral collectors.
Is this wulffite?
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 wulffite with a known reference. Wulffite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wulffite leaves a light green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wulffite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crystalline crusts.
Often confused with
Wulffite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Wulffite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs — Wulffite leaves light green, Krasheninnikovite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Wulffite leaves light green, Kamchatkite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous on Wulffite and resinous on Kamchatkite.
Often found alongside wulffite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wulffite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₃NaCu₄O₂(SO₄)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.2 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Crystalline Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumarolic Deposits of Basaltic Volcanoes
- Typical price
- $100-500 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find wulffite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumarolic deposits of basaltic volcanoes country — that is the host setting where wulffite typically forms. If you start seeing krasheninnikovite, kamchatkite, piypite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crystalline crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find wulffite on the map
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