Baumstarkite is a rare monoclinic dimorph of the more common trigonal pyrargyrite. It is typically found in low-temperature hydrothermal silver deposits where it forms small, metallic, greyish-black crystals that are difficult to distinguish from other silver sulfosalts without X-ray diffraction.
Is this baumstarkite?
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 baumstarkite with a known reference. Baumstarkite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Baumstarkite leaves a dark red streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Baumstarkite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Baumstarkite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Baumstarkite leaves dark red, Pyrargyrite leaves red; luster reads metallic on Baumstarkite and metallic to adamantine on Pyrargyrite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Baumstarkite leaves dark red, Proustite leaves scarlet; luster reads metallic on Baumstarkite and adamantine on Proustite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Baumstarkite leaves dark red, Stephanite leaves black.
Often found alongside baumstarkite
Minerals reported to co-occur with baumstarkite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₃SbS₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 5.68 g/cm³
- Streak
- Dark Red
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Study
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find baumstarkite
Classic worldwide localities
- St. Andreasberg (Harz Mountains, Germany)
- Broken Hill (Australia)
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where baumstarkite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrargyrite, galena, calcite 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
How do you identify baumstarkite?+
Where is baumstarkite found?+
How much is baumstarkite worth?+
Is baumstarkite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like baumstarkite?+
What minerals are found with baumstarkite?+
What kind of rock does baumstarkite form in?+
What is baumstarkite used for?+
Find baumstarkite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
