Betekhtinite is a rare lead-copper sulfide mineral that typically forms as hair-like acicular crystals or fibrous masses within ore deposits. It is most frequently found in sulfide-rich hydrothermal systems and is highly prized by collectors for its metallic luster and distinctive needle-like habit.
Is this betekhtinite?
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 betekhtinite with a known reference. Betekhtinite sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brownish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular.
Often confused with
Betekhtinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Betekhtinite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Betekhtinite leaves black, Chalcocite leaves blackish lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Betekhtinite leaves black, Djurleite leaves metallic.
Often found alongside betekhtinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with betekhtinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂(Cu,Fe)₂₁S₁₅
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 5.96-6.05 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular
- Cleavage
- In three directions
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In veins cutting the black cupriferous shale (Mansfeld, Germany)
Where rockhounds find betekhtinite
Classic worldwide localities
- St. Cloud mine, Sierra Co., New Mexico, USA
- Mansfeld Kupferschiefer at Eisleben, Saxony-Anhalt (type locality), and at Waschenbach, Odenwald, Germany
- Radka deposit, Pazardzhik, and the Propada deposit, Malko-Tarnovo district, Bulgaria
- Lairg, Sutherlandshire, Scotland
- Mürtschenalp, Switzerland
- Långban, Värmland, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In veins cutting the black cupriferous shale (Mansfeld, Germany). If you start seeing bornite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find betekhtinite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
