Shakhovite is an extremely rare mercury-antimony oxyhydroxide mineral typically found as small, yellow, tabular crystals. It is primarily known from the Khaidarkan deposit in Kyrgyzstan where it occurs in association with primary mercury ores like cinnabar.

Hardness

2-3

Mohs

Luster

Adamantine

Streak

Yellowish White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Shakhovite

Hardness: 2-3
Luster: Adamantine
Streak: Yellowish White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this shakhovite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch shakhovite with a known reference. Shakhovite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Shakhovite leaves a yellowish white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Shakhovite typically shows a adamantine luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: bright lettuce-green, olive-green, yellowish green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crystalline aggregates.

Often confused with

Shakhovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Eglestonite

Mohs 2.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Shakhovite leaves yellowish white, Eglestonite leaves yellowish-white.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Shakhovite leaves yellowish white, Kleinite leaves sulfur-yellow.

Compare →

Often found alongside shakhovite

Minerals reported to co-occur with shakhovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Hg₄SbO₃(OH)₃
Mohs hardness: 2-3
Density: 8.89 g/cm³
Colors: Bright Lettuce-green Olive-green Yellowish Green
Streak: Yellowish White
Luster: Adamantine
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Crystalline Aggregates
Cleavage: In Two Directions, Parallel Elongation
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Antimony-mercury Deposits

Where rockhounds find shakhovite

Classic worldwide localities

Khaidarkan antimony deposit, Kyrgyzstan

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal antimony-mercury deposits country, the host setting where shakhovite typically forms. If you start seeing cinnabar, stibnite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crystalline aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify shakhovite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-3. It typically shows a adamantine luster. The streak is yellowish white. Common colors include bright lettuce-green, olive-green, yellowish green.

Where is shakhovite found?+

Notable localities include Khaidarkan antimony deposit, Kyrgyzstan.

Is shakhovite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains mercury; handle with caution, avoid inhaling dust, and wash hands thoroughly after contact. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like shakhovite?+

Shakhovite is most often confused with Eglestonite, Kleinite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with shakhovite?+

Shakhovite commonly co-occurs with Cinnabar, Stibnite, Calcite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does shakhovite form in?+

Shakhovite typically forms in hydrothermal antimony-mercury deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is shakhovite used for?+

Shakhovite is used in collector.

Find shakhovite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.