Benavidesite is a rare sulfosalt mineral found primarily in lead-zinc deposits. Collectors should look for its distinctive lead-gray, fibrous or needle-like crystal habits which closely resemble jamesonite.
Is this benavidesite?
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 benavidesite with a known reference. Benavidesite 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. Streak: dark gray with a brownish tint.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead gray, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular.
Often confused with
Benavidesite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Benavidesite leaves dark gray with a brownish tint, Jamesonite leaves black. grayish.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Benavidesite leaves dark gray with a brownish tint, Boulangerite leaves brownish.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Benavidesite leaves dark gray with a brownish tint, Stibnite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside benavidesite
Minerals reported to co-occur with benavidesite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₄MnSb₆S₁₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 5.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- Dark gray with a brownish tint
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a metamorphosed iron sulfide deposit associated with submarine felsic volcanism (Sätra mine, Sweden); in telescoped polymetallic mineralization associated with dacitic intrusions (Uchuc-Chacua deposit, Peru)
Where rockhounds find benavidesite
Classic worldwide localities
- Uchuc-Chacua deposit, Cajatambo Province, Peru (type locality)
- Sätra mine, Doverstorp, Bergslagen metallic province, Sweden (type locality)
- Dachang district, Guangxi Autonomous Region, China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a metamorphosed iron sulfide deposit associated with submarine felsic volcanism (Sätra mine, Sweden); in telescoped polymetallic mineralization associated with dacitic intrusions (Uchuc-Chacua deposit, Peru). If you start seeing galena, manganoan sphalerite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify benavidesite?+
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Is benavidesite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like benavidesite?+
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Find benavidesite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
