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, so Argentobaumhauerite leaves black, Sartorite leaves chocolate-brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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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