Vasilseverginite is a rare copper arsenic sulfate mineral discovered in the volcanic fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano. It typically appears as small, vibrant green transparent tabular crystals associated with other secondary copper minerals in high-temperature volcanic settings.
Is this vasilseverginite?
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 vasilseverginite with a known reference. Vasilseverginite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bright green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Vasilseverginite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside vasilseverginite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vasilseverginite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₉O₄(AsO₄)₂(SO₄)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 4.409 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A volcanic sublimate on basaltic scoria in the walls of a fumarole at temperatures higher than 380 °C
Where rockhounds find vasilseverginite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A volcanic sublimate on basaltic scoria in the walls of a fumarole at temperatures higher than 380 °C. If you start seeing tenorite, lammerite, lammerite-β in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify vasilseverginite?+
Where is vasilseverginite found?+
Is vasilseverginite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like vasilseverginite?+
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Find vasilseverginite on the map
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