Gladkovskyite is a rare manganese thallium arsenic sulfosalt that forms dark cherry-red prismatic crystals and irregular grains. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2018. It was first described from the Vorontsovskoe gold deposit, Sverdlovskaya Oblast', Northern Urals, Russia.
Is this gladkovskyite?
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 gladkovskyite with a known reference. Gladkovskyite sits at Mohs 2-2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: red.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark cherry-red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals and irregular grains.
Often confused with
Gladkovskyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Gladkovskyite leaves red, Realgar leaves red-orange to red; luster reads adamantine on Gladkovskyite and resinous to greasy on Realgar.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Gladkovskyite leaves red, Orpiment leaves pale lemon-yellow; luster reads adamantine on Gladkovskyite and resinous, pearly on cleavage surface on Orpiment.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Gladkovskyite leaves red, Cinnabar leaves scarlet.
Often found alongside gladkovskyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with gladkovskyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MnTlAs₃S₆
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 4.356 g/cm³
- Colors
- Dark cherry-red
- Streak
- Red
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals and irregular grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- hydrothermal gold deposits in sedimentary rocks
Where rockhounds find gladkovskyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Vorontsovskoye deposit, Ural Mountains, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: hydrothermal gold deposits in sedimentary rocks. If you start seeing realgar, orpiment, cinnabar in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals and irregular grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find gladkovskyite on the map
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