Zavaritskite is a rare bismuth oxyfluoride mineral typically found as small, pearly, platy crystals or coatings in oxidized bismuth-bearing deposits. It is most easily identified by its association with secondary bismuth minerals in pegmatite environments or hydrothermal zones.
Is this zavaritskite?
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 zavaritskite with a known reference. Zavaritskite sits at Mohs 2-2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: semimetallic to greasy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Zavaritskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Zavaritskite leaves gray white, Bismoclite leaves white; luster reads semimetallic to greasy on Zavaritskite and greasy, silky, pearly on cleavage surfaces; dull to earthy when massive on Bismoclite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Zavaritskite leaves gray white, Matlockite leaves white; luster reads semimetallic to greasy on Zavaritskite and adamantine, pearly on {001} on Matlockite.
Often found alongside zavaritskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zavaritskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BiOF
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 7.88-8.34 g/cm³
- Streak
- Gray white
- Luster
- Semimetallic to greasy
- Transparency
- Transparent in thin layers
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, granular aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An alteration product of bismuthinite in bismuth-bearing hydrothermal ore deposits in quartz-topaz-siderophyllite greisens cutting a granite pluton (Mt. Sherlova, Russia)
Where rockhounds find zavaritskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mt. Sherlova, Chita region, eastern Transbaikal, Siberia, Russia
- Fielders Hill mine, near Torrington, New South Wales, Australia
- Ebisu mine, Hirugawa, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
- Moldava fluorite deposit, Krusne Hory Mountains, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An alteration product of bismuthinite in bismuth-bearing hydrothermal ore deposits in quartz-topaz-siderophyllite greisens cutting a granite pluton (Mt. Sherlova, Russia). If you start seeing bismuthinite, bismuth, bismutite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zavaritskite?+
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Is zavaritskite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like zavaritskite?+
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Find zavaritskite on the map
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