Ángelaite is a rare copper-lead-bismuth sulfide mineral first identified in the silver-rich hydrothermal veins of the Jáchymov district. It typically occurs as small inclusions or grains within complex sulfide assemblages and is primarily of interest to advanced mineralogists and systematic collectors.
Is this ángelaite?
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 ángelaite with a known reference. Ángelaite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: dark gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Ángelaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Ángelaite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs, so Ángelaite leaves dark gray, Aikinite leaves grayish black.
How to tell apart: Ángelaite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5-2.75); streak differs, so Ángelaite leaves dark gray, Galena leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside ángelaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ángelaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₂AgPbBiS₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 6.89 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Dark gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains, microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- None observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Mineralization in calcalcaline andesitic to dacitic rocks of Late Jurassic age
Where rockhounds find ángelaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Angela mine, district of Los Manantiales, Gastre, Chubut, Argentine (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Mineralization in calcalcaline andesitic to dacitic rocks of Late Jurassic age. If you start seeing pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find ángelaite on the map
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