How do I identify Bilibinskite?

Bilibinskite can be identified by its hardness of 4.5 on the Mohs scale, Light brown color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Bilibinskite?

Bilibinskite typically appears in Light brown, rose brown. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Bilibinskite?

Bilibinskite has a hardness of 4.5 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.

Bilibinskite

A variety of Minerals

What is Bilibinskite?

Bilibinskite is an Au - Cu - Pb telluride. It is a rare mineral that was named after Soviet geologist Yuri Bilibin (1901–1952), who researched the geology of gold deposits during the time of the USSR.

Bilibinskite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Bilibinskite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Bilibinskite Localities Map

See where Bilibinskite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

Map preview

North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Characteristics of Bilibinskite

Bilibinskite is a metallic mineral with a color that ranges from opaque bronze-colored to light-brown or brownish-pink. It has a sub-metallic luster, a brown streak color and has no fission. Bilibinskite crystallizes in the cubic system. It has a high relative density of 14.27. The mineral has a hardness of 4.5 to 5 and it is not radioactive.

Formation of Bilibinskite

Bilibinskite is a very rare mineral that formed in the weathering zones of gold tellurides. The type locality is the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East, where the mineral was discovered in 1978. It has also been found in hypogene ores of Kazakhstan, Xinjiang and Tuva.