Znamenskyite is a rare lead sulfoselenide mineral known primarily from volcanic fumaroles on the Kudryavy volcano. It typically occurs as thin crusts or small aggregates associated with other rare fumarolic minerals like cotunnite. Due to its extreme rarity and specific formation environment, it is highly sought after by advanced mineral collectors.
Is this znamenskyite?
4-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 znamenskyite with a known reference. Znamenskyite sits at Mohs 1.5-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: resinous.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: crusts, aggregates, tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Znamenskyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside znamenskyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with znamenskyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₄In₂Bi₄S₁₃
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 6.78 g/cm³
- Colors
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, aggregates, tabular crystals
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- volcanic fumaroles
Where rockhounds find znamenskyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kudriavy Volcano, Iturup Island, Kurile Islands, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: volcanic fumaroles. If you start seeing chlorothionite, cotunnite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crusts, aggregates, tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify znamenskyite?+
Where is znamenskyite found?+
Is znamenskyite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like znamenskyite?+
What minerals are found with znamenskyite?+
What kind of rock does znamenskyite form in?+
What is znamenskyite used for?+
Find znamenskyite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
