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 — Argentopentlandite leaves black, Pentlandite leaves light bronze-brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Argentopentlandite leaves black, Pyrrhotite leaves dark grey to black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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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