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. Gladkovskyite leaves a red streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Gladkovskyite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 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 orange-red; luster reads adamantine on Gladkovskyite and resinous on Realgar.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Gladkovskyite leaves red, Orpiment leaves yellow; luster reads adamantine on Gladkovskyite and resinous 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
- 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
Look in hydrothermal gold deposits in sedimentary rocks country, the host setting where gladkovskyite typically forms. If you start seeing realgar, orpiment, cinnabar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals and irregular grains habit, so 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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