Chatkalite is a rare copper-iron-tin sulfide mineral typically found as small, opaque metallic grains within complex hydrothermal vein deposits. It is best identified through laboratory analysis of its optical properties and chemical composition, as it closely resembles other common sulfide minerals like stannite.
Is this chatkalite?
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 chatkalite with a known reference. Chatkalite sits at Mohs 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: rose, brown orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains, massive.
Often confused with
Chatkalite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Chatkalite leaves black, Stannite leaves blackish.
How to tell apart: Chatkalite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3-3.25); streak differs, so Chatkalite leaves black, Bornite leaves pale grayish black.
Often found alongside chatkalite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chatkalite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₆FeSn₂S₈
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains, massive
- Cleavage
- None observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As rounded disseminations in tetrahedrite, from a sulfide-bearing quartz vein (Kochbulak deposit, Uzbekistan)
Where rockhounds find chatkalite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cove gold deposit, McCoy district, Lander Co., Nevada, USA
- Kochbulak gold deposit, Chatkal-Kuramin Mountains, eastern Uzbekistan (type locality)
- Bitin Cu–Au–Ag deposit, Fujian Province, China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As rounded disseminations in tetrahedrite, from a sulfide-bearing quartz vein (Kochbulak deposit, Uzbekistan). If you start seeing cassiterite, hemusite, hessite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find chatkalite on the map
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