Borodaevite is a rare silver-iron-antimony sulfosalt that typically occurs as microscopic grains or inclusions within larger metallic sulfides. It is primarily identified through electron microprobe analysis rather than macroscopic features due to its scarcity and typical mode of occurrence in ore assemblages.
Is this borodaevite?
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 borodaevite with a known reference. Borodaevite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Borodaevite leaves a gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Borodaevite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white, lead-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, inclusions.
Often confused with
Borodaevite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Borodaevite leaves gray, Stephanite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Borodaevite leaves gray, Polybasite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Borodaevite leaves gray, Pyrargyrite leaves red; luster reads metallic on Borodaevite and metallic to adamantine on Pyrargyrite.
Often found alongside borodaevite
Minerals reported to co-occur with borodaevite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₅Fe₁₊ₓSb₃S₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 6.6-6.7 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Inclusions
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- n/a
Where rockhounds find borodaevite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kanimansur deposit, Tajikistan
- Srednogorie zone, Bulgaria
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where borodaevite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, inclusions habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find borodaevite on the map
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