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, so Ardaite leaves grey, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ardaite leaves grey, Boulangerite leaves brownish-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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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