Yaroshevskite is a very rare copper vanadate mineral typically found in the fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano in Russia. It usually forms as small, tabular crystals associated with other exotic volcanic minerals.
Is this yaroshevskite?
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 yaroshevskite with a known reference. Yaroshevskite 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. Streak: reddish black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic to adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Yaroshevskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Yaroshevskite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Yaroshevskite leaves reddish black, Piypite leaves yellowish green; luster reads metallic to adamantine on Yaroshevskite and vitreous to greasy on Piypite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic to adamantine on Yaroshevskite and vitreous on Lammerite.
Often found alongside yaroshevskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with yaroshevskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₉O₂(VO₄)₄Cl₂
- Mohs hardness
- ~3.5
- Density
- 4.86 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Reddish black
- Luster
- Metallic to adamantine
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In sublimates around a volcanic fumarole
Where rockhounds find yaroshevskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Yadovitaya fumarole, Second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In sublimates around a volcanic fumarole. If you start seeing euchlorine, fedotovite, hematite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify yaroshevskite?+
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Is yaroshevskite safe to handle?+
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Find yaroshevskite on the map
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