Nevskite is a rare bismuth selenium sulfide mineral that typically occurs as microscopic inclusions or small anhedral grains. It is most commonly found in epithermal gold-silver ore deposits and is prized primarily by mineral collectors for its rarity and distinct metallic luster.
Is this nevskite?
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 nevskite with a known reference. Nevskite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: irregular grains.
Often confused with
Nevskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nevskite leaves black, Bismuthinite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nevskite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Nevskite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs, so Nevskite leaves black, Tetradymite leaves pale steel-gray.
Often found alongside nevskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nevskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Bi(Se,S)
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 7.85 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Irregular grains
- Cleavage
- {0001}, perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In quartz-cassiterite veins
Where rockhounds find nevskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Nevskoye W–Sn deposit, 25 km northwest of Omsukchan, Magadan region, Russia (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In quartz-cassiterite veins. If you start seeing wolframite, cassiterite, natanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find nevskite on the map
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