Zlatogorite is a very rare copper nickel antimonide, typically silver-white. It occurs in altered schistose rock (listwenite). It was first described from the Zolotaya Gora deposit near Karabash, Middle Urals, Russia.
Is this zlatogorite?
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 zlatogorite with a known reference. Zlatogorite sits at Mohs 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Zlatogorite leaves a light silver-gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Zlatogorite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: globular to prismatic grains.
Often confused with
Zlatogorite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Zlatogorite leaves light silver-gray, Chalcopyrite leaves greenish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Zlatogorite leaves light silver-gray, Pentlandite leaves light bronze-brown.
Often found alongside zlatogorite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zlatogorite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuNiSb₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 8.21 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light Silver-gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Globular to Prismatic Grains
- Cleavage
- Imperfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Deposits
Where rockhounds find zlatogorite
Classic worldwide localities
- Zolotaya Gora deposit near Karabash, Middle Urals, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal deposits country, the host setting where zlatogorite typically forms. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, millerite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a globular to prismatic grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zlatogorite?+
Where is zlatogorite found?+
Is zlatogorite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like zlatogorite?+
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Find zlatogorite on the map
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