Ardaite is an extremely rare lead antimony sulfosalt found in specific hydrothermal deposits. It is most commonly identified by its distinct acicular, needle-like crystal habit and typically metallic grey color.
Is this ardaite?
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 ardaite with a known reference. Ardaite 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. Ardaite leaves a grey streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ardaite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, dark gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: acicular or fibrous crystals, often as radial sprays.
Often confused with
Ardaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Ardaite leaves grey, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Ardaite leaves grey, Boulangerite leaves brownish-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Ardaite leaves grey, Plagionite leaves black.
Often found alongside ardaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ardaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₁₉Sb₁₃S₃₅Cl₇
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 5.85 g/cm³
- Streak
- Grey
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or Fibrous Crystals, Often as Radial Sprays
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Sulfide Veins
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail depending on matrix quality
Where rockhounds find ardaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Aranyer Berg, Romania
- Mammoth Saint Anthony Mine, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal sulfide veins country — that is the host setting where ardaite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or fibrous crystals, often as radial sprays habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find ardaite on the map
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