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, 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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