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?
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 znamenskyite with a known reference. Znamenskyite sits at Mohs 1.5-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Znamenskyite leaves a pale yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Znamenskyite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: crusts, aggregates, tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Znamenskyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Znamenskyite leaves pale yellow, Galena leaves lead-gray; luster reads resinous on Znamenskyite and metallic on Galena.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Znamenskyite leaves pale yellow, Clausthalite leaves gray-black; luster reads resinous on Znamenskyite and metallic on Clausthalite.
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
- Pb₃SeS₂
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 4.05 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, Aggregates, Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Volcanic Fumaroles
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find znamenskyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kudryavy volcano, Iturup Island, Kuril Islands, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic fumaroles country — that is the host setting where znamenskyite typically forms. If you start seeing chlorothionite, cotunnite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a crusts, aggregates, tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify znamenskyite?+
Where is znamenskyite found?+
How much is znamenskyite worth?+
Is znamenskyite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like znamenskyite?+
What minerals are found with znamenskyite?+
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Find znamenskyite on the map
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