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Yushkinite is a rare vanadium-rich sulfide-hydroxide mineral that typically forms as soft, flexible, mica-like flakes. It was first described from the Pay-Khoy region in Russia and is highly prized by mineralogists for its unique composition and structural relationship to the valleriite group.

Hardness
<1
Mohs
Luster
Metallic
Streak
Reddish gray
Transparency
Opaque

Is this yushkinite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

  • 1
    Test the hardness
    Try to scratch yushkinite with a known reference. Yushkinite sits at Mohs <1, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
  • 2
    Check the streak
    Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: reddish gray.
  • 3
    Read the luster
    Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
  • 4
    Match the color range
    Compare against the expected color range: violet, red lilac, pinkish gray.
  • 5
    Look at form & habit
    Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: aggregates, flakes, scaly.

Often confused with

Yushkinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Valleriite mineral
mineral
Valleriite
Mohs <1

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Yushkinite leaves reddish gray, Valleriite leaves black.

Compare →
Molybdenite mineral
mineral
Molybdenite
Mohs 1-1.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Yushkinite leaves reddish gray, Molybdenite leaves bluish gray.

Compare →

Often found alongside yushkinite

Minerals reported to co-occur with yushkinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula
V₁₋ₓS(Mg,Al)(OH)₂
Mohs hardness
<1
Density
2.94 g/cm³
Colors
VioletRed lilacPinkish gray
Streak
Reddish gray
Luster
Metallic
Transparency
Opaque
Crystal system
Trigonal
Crystal habit
Aggregates, flakes, scaly
Cleavage
Perfect
Rarity
Rare
Uses
Collector
Host rock
In quartz-carbonate veins in carbonate rocks

Where rockhounds find yushkinite

Classic worldwide localities

  • From Pay-Khoy, in the middle stram of the Silova-Yakha River, Russia (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In quartz-carbonate veins in carbonate rocks. If you start seeing cadmian sphalerite, sulvanite, fluorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, flakes, scaly. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify yushkinite?+
Mohs hardness is <1. Luster: metallic. The streak is reddish gray. Common colors include violet, red lilac, pinkish gray.
Where is yushkinite found?+
Notable localities include From Pay-Khoy, in the middle stram of the Silova-Yakha River, Russia (type locality).
Is yushkinite safe to handle?+
Yushkinite contains vanadium. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.
What rocks look like yushkinite?+
Yushkinite is most often confused with Valleriite, Molybdenite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.
What minerals are found with yushkinite?+
Yushkinite commonly co-occurs with Cadmian sphalerite, Sulvanite, Fluorite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.
What kind of rock does yushkinite form in?+
Where it forms: In quartz-carbonate veins in carbonate rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.
What is yushkinite used for?+
Yushkinite is used in collector.

Find yushkinite on the map

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