Chursinite is a rare mercury arsenate that forms yellow-brown to orange-brown grains. It occurs in the oxidized zone of a Sb-As-Hg deposit. It was first described from Khaydarkan deposit, Fergana Valley, Alai Range, Kyrgyzstan.
Is this chursinite?
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 chursinite with a known reference. Chursinite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chursinite leaves a grayish yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chursinite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow-brown, orange-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: in grains.
Often confused with
Chursinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Chursinite leaves grayish yellow, Gypsum leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Chursinite and vitreous on Gypsum.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Chursinite leaves grayish yellow, Pharmacolite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Chursinite and vitreous on Pharmacolite.
Often found alongside chursinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chursinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Hg¹⁺Hg²⁺(AsO₄)
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 9.06 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Grayish Yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- In Grains
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Low-temperature Hydrothermal Deposits
Where rockhounds find chursinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khaidarkan Sb-Hg deposit, Kyrgyzstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in low-temperature hydrothermal deposits country, the host setting where chursinite typically forms. If you start seeing pharmacolite, calcite, realgar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a in grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find chursinite on the map
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