Argentopentlandite is a rare silver-bearing sulfide mineral that typically occurs as anhedral grains within nickel-copper ore deposits. Collectors identify it primarily by its characteristic bronze-yellow metallic luster and its common association with other massive sulfide ores in igneous complexes.
Is this argentopentlandite?
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 argentopentlandite with a known reference. Argentopentlandite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Argentopentlandite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Argentopentlandite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bronze-yellow, yellowish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive, granular.
Often confused with
Argentopentlandite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Argentopentlandite leaves black, Pentlandite leaves light bronze-brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Argentopentlandite leaves black, Pyrrhotite leaves dark grey to black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Argentopentlandite leaves black, Chalcopyrite leaves greenish-black.
Often found alongside argentopentlandite
Minerals reported to co-occur with argentopentlandite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag(Fe,Ni)₈S₈
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Copper-nickel Sulfide Deposits in Layered Igneous Intrusions
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find argentopentlandite
Classic worldwide localities
- Talnakh deposit (Russia)
- Norilsk (Russia)
- Sudbury District (Canada)
Field-hunting tip
Look in copper-nickel sulfide deposits in layered igneous intrusions country, the host setting where argentopentlandite typically forms. If you start seeing pentlandite, chalcopyrite, cubanite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find argentopentlandite on the map
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