Markhininite is a rare thallium bismuth sulfate that forms white pseudohexagonal platy crystals. It is a product of fumarolic activity around a volcanic vent. Associated minerals include shcherbinaite, pauflerite and bobjonesite. It was first described from the first scoria cone, North Breach of the Great Fissure Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.
Is this markhininite?
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 markhininite with a known reference. Markhininite sits at Mohs 1.5-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Markhininite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Markhininite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: pseudohexagonal platy crystals.
Often confused with
Markhininite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Markhininite leaves white, Hessite leaves black; luster reads adamantine on Markhininite and metallic on Hessite.
How to tell apart: Empressite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs, so Markhininite leaves white, Empressite leaves black; luster reads adamantine on Markhininite and metallic on Empressite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Markhininite leaves white, Acanthite leaves black; luster reads adamantine on Markhininite and metallic on Acanthite.
Often found alongside markhininite
Minerals reported to co-occur with markhininite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- TlBi(SO₄)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 5.91 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Pseudohexagonal Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {011}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Epithermal Gold-telluride Deposits
Where rockhounds find markhininite
Classic worldwide localities
- first scoria cone, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in epithermal gold-telluride deposits country, the host setting where markhininite typically forms. If you start seeing gold, hessite, coloradoite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a pseudohexagonal platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find markhininite on the map
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