Argentobaumhauerite is a rare silver-bearing sulfosalt mineral primarily found in the famous Lengenbach Quarry in Switzerland. It usually occurs as small, lead-gray tabular crystals embedded within dolomitic marble, often associated with other rare arsenic-bearing sulfides.
Is this argentobaumhauerite?
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 argentobaumhauerite with a known reference. Argentobaumhauerite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Argentobaumhauerite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Argentobaumhauerite 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: tabular crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Argentobaumhauerite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Argentobaumhauerite leaves black, Sartorite leaves chocolate-brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Argentobaumhauerite leaves black, Dufrénoysite leaves reddish-brown.
Often found alongside argentobaumhauerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with argentobaumhauerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₃(As,Sb)₄S₉
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 5.33 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Dolomitic Marble
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find argentobaumhauerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lengenbach Quarry, Switzerland
Field-hunting tip
Look in dolomitic marble country — that is the host setting where argentobaumhauerite typically forms. If you start seeing realgar, orpiment, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find argentobaumhauerite on the map
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