How do I identify Aktashite?

Aktashite can be identified by its hardness of 3.5 on the Mohs scale, Gray-black color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Aktashite?

Aktashite typically appears in Gray-black. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Aktashite?

Aktashite has a hardness of 3.5 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.

Aktashite

A variety of Minerals

What is Aktashite?

Aktashite is a rare arsenic sulfosalt mineral with formula Cu6Hg3As4S12. It is a copper mercury-bearing sulfosalt and is the only sulfosalt mineral with essential Cu and Hg yet known. It is of hydrothermal origin. It was published without approval of the IMA-CNMNC, but recognized as valid species by the IMA-CNMNC Sulfosalts Subcommittee (2008).