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 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Benavidesite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Benavidesite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular or fibrous crystals.
Often confused with
Benavidesite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Benavidesite leaves black, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Benavidesite leaves black, Boulangerite leaves brownish-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Benavidesite leaves black, 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
- Pb₄(Sb,Fe)₆S₁₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 5.68 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or Fibrous Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find benavidesite
Classic worldwide localities
- San Genaro mine, Castrovirreyna, Peru
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where benavidesite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, pyrite, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or fibrous crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find benavidesite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
