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 — Baumstarkite leaves dark red, Pyrargyrite leaves red; luster reads metallic on Baumstarkite and metallic to adamantine on Pyrargyrite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Baumstarkite leaves dark red, Proustite leaves scarlet; luster reads metallic on Baumstarkite and adamantine on Proustite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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.
