Alacránite is a rare arsenic sulfide mineral typically found in epithermal gold-silver deposits. Collectors should look for its distinctive orange-red hue in hydrothermal vein assemblages, where it often forms as a secondary alteration product of realgar.
Is this alacránite?
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 alacránite with a known reference. Alacránite sits at Mohs 1.5-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Alacránite leaves a yellow-orange streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Alacránite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange, red, yellow-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular, massive, rarely prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Alacránite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside alacránite
Minerals reported to co-occur with alacránite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- As₈S₉
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 3.58 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow-orange
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular, Massive, Rarely Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality and size
Where rockhounds find alacránite
Classic worldwide localities
- Alacrán mine, Pampa Larga, Chile
- El Indio mine, Chile
- Tajikistan
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where alacránite typically forms. If you start seeing realgar, arsenopyrite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular, massive, rarely prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find alacránite on the map
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