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 — Berryite leaves black, Aikinite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Berryite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Berryite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-4 vs. 2); streak differs — 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 — that is 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.
