Berryite is a rare lead-silver-copper bismuth sulfosalt typically found as inclusions in other sulfides. It is usually identified through microscopic study or X-ray diffraction, as its physical appearance is very similar to other complex lead-bismuth minerals.
Is this berryite?
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 berryite with a known reference. Berryite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Berryite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Berryite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, dark gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, anhedral grains, or acicular to lath-like crystals.
Often confused with
Berryite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Berryite leaves black, Aikinite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Berryite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Berryite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-4 vs. 2); streak differs, so Berryite leaves black, Bismuthinite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside berryite
Minerals reported to co-occur with berryite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₃Ag₂Cu₃Bi₇S₁₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 6.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Anhedral Grains, Or Acicular to Lath-like Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per small specimen
Where rockhounds find berryite
Classic worldwide localities
- Alaska, USA
- Bolivia
- Norway
- Canada
- Slovakia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where berryite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, anhedral grains, or acicular to lath-like crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find berryite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
