Dokuchaevite is a rare copper vanadate that forms dark red bladed to prismatic crystals. It is a sublimate at an active volcanic fumarole. It was first described from the Yadovitaya ('Poisonous') fumarole, Kamchatka peninsula, Far-Eastern Region, Russia.
Is this dokuchaevite?
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 dokuchaevite with a known reference. Dokuchaevite 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. Dokuchaevite leaves a reddish black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Dokuchaevite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: bladed to prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Dokuchaevite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Chalcopyrite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); streak differs, so Dokuchaevite leaves reddish black, Chalcopyrite leaves greenish-black; luster reads adamantine on Dokuchaevite and metallic on Chalcopyrite.
How to tell apart: Bornite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); streak differs, so Dokuchaevite leaves reddish black, Bornite leaves grayish black; luster reads adamantine on Dokuchaevite and metallic on Bornite.
Often found alongside dokuchaevite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dokuchaevite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₈O₂(VO₄)₃Cl₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 4.142 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Reddish Black
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed to Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Selenide Deposits
Where rockhounds find dokuchaevite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khaidarkan Sb-Hg deposit, Kyrgyzstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal selenide deposits country, the host setting where dokuchaevite typically forms. If you start seeing berzelianite, eskebornite, umangite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed to prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find dokuchaevite on the map
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