Aguilarite is a rare silver-selenium-sulfide mineral that typically forms in epithermal vein deposits. Collectors should look for its characteristic lead-gray metallic luster, often found as thin coatings or small clusters associated with other silver minerals in hydrothermal environments.
Is this aguilarite?
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 aguilarite with a known reference. Aguilarite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Aguilarite leaves a lead-gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Aguilarite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, iron-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: dendritic, massive, or pseudo-cubic crystals.
Often confused with
Aguilarite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Aguilarite leaves lead-gray, Acanthite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Aguilarite leaves lead-gray, Naumannite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Aguilarite leaves lead-gray, Argentite leaves black.
Often found alongside aguilarite
Minerals reported to co-occur with aguilarite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₄SeS
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 7.4-7.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Lead-gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Dendritic, Massive, Or Pseudo-cubic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Epithermal Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find aguilarite
Classic worldwide localities
- Guanajuato, Mexico
- Hahndorf, Germany
- Goldfield, Nevada, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in epithermal hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where aguilarite typically forms. If you start seeing acanthite, naumannite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dendritic, massive, or pseudo-cubic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find aguilarite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
