Yakhontovite is a rare copper-bearing phyllosilicate mineral that typically forms as soft, earthy, or powdery coatings in oxidized copper deposits. It is best identified by its distinct sky-blue to greenish-blue color and association with other copper secondary minerals. Collectors often find it in the oxidation zones of hydrothermal veins where it has replaced other minerals.
Is this yakhontovite?
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 yakhontovite with a known reference. Yakhontovite 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. Yakhontovite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Yakhontovite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, greenish-blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, powdery, or earthy aggregates.
Often confused with
Yakhontovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside yakhontovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with yakhontovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ca,Na)₀.₅(Cu,Fe³⁺,Mg)₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂·n(H₂O)
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Powdery, Or Earthy Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Zones
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find yakhontovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Russia
- Kazakhstan
- USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal zones country, the host setting where yakhontovite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, hematite, cuprite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, powdery, or earthy aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify yakhontovite?+
Where is yakhontovite found?+
How much is yakhontovite worth?+
What rocks look like yakhontovite?+
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Find yakhontovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
