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. Argentite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Argentite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, cubic, octahedral, dendrites.
Often confused with
Argentite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Argentite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Argentite leaves black, Chalcocite leaves lead-gray to black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Argentite leaves black, Stromeyerite leaves dark 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
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Cubic, Octahedral, Dendrites
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Ore of Silver, Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $10-150 depending on specimen quality and size
Where rockhounds find argentite
7 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Guanajuato, Mexico
- Freiberg, Germany
- Cobalt, Ontario, Canada
- Kongsberg, Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where argentite typically forms. If you start seeing native silver, galena, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, cubic, octahedral, dendrites habit, so 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.
Common questions
How do you identify argentite?+
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Find argentite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
