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 — Aguilarite leaves lead-gray, Acanthite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Aguilarite leaves lead-gray, Naumannite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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.
