Argentite is a high-temperature form of silver sulfide that inverts to acanthite at temperatures below 173°C. It is a major ore of silver, typically found in massive forms or as distinct cubic crystals, often with a dull black or lead-gray tarnished surface.
Is this argentite?
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 argentite with a known reference. Argentite sits at Mohs 2-2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: arborescent, blocky, skeletal.
Often confused with
Argentite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Argentite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Argentite leaves black, Chalcocite leaves blackish lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Argentite leaves black, Stromeyerite leaves steel-gray.
Often found alongside argentite
Minerals reported to co-occur with argentite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₂S
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 7.2-7.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Arborescent, blocky, skeletal
- Cleavage
- Poor on {001}; poor on {110}
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Ore of silver, Collector
- Host rock
- Low temperature ore veins
Where rockhounds find argentite
7 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Guanajuato, Mexico
- Freiberg, Germany
- Cobalt, Ontario, Canada
- Kongsberg, Norway
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Low temperature ore veins. If you start seeing native silver, galena, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: arborescent, blocky, skeletal. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in New Mexico, Utah, California. Start trip planning there.
More argentite photos
Common questions
How do you identify argentite?+
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Can I find argentite in the United States?+
Is argentite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like argentite?+
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Find argentite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
