Cannizzarite is a rare lead-bismuth sulfosalt typically found as thin, platy metallic crystals within volcanic fumarole deposits. It is best identified by its distinct lead-gray color and association with other rare sulfosalts in low-temperature volcanic environments.
Is this cannizzarite?
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 cannizzarite with a known reference. Cannizzarite sits at Mohs ~2, 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: light gray, silver gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, felted, lath.
Often confused with
Cannizzarite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cannizzarite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cannizzarite leaves black, Bismuthinite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cannizzarite leaves black, Jamesonite leaves black. grayish.
Often found alongside cannizzarite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cannizzarite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₈Bi₁₀S₂₃
- Mohs hardness
- ~2
- Density
- 6.7 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, felted, lath
- Cleavage
- Perfect in one direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Associated with deep fumarolic activity (Vulcano, Italy); in sulfide veinlets in a greisen Sn–W deposit in granite (Shumilovsk deposit, Russia)
Where rockhounds find cannizzarite
Classic worldwide localities
- Landsman Camp, Graham Co., Arizona, USA
- Vulcano, in the Lipari Islands (type locality), and from the Ginevro mine, Elba, Italy
- Santa Maria, Val Medel, Graubünden, at Goppenstein, Lotschental, and in the Mittal-Hohtenn tunnel, Valais, Switzerland
- Felbertal tungsten mine, Salzburg, Austria
- Shumilovsk Sn–W deposit, west Transbaikal, and the Vysokogorsk deposit, Far Eastern Region, Russia
- Hobenzan granitic complex, Yamaguchi Prefecrure, Japan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Associated with deep fumarolic activity (Vulcano, Italy); in sulfide veinlets in a greisen Sn–W deposit in granite (Shumilovsk deposit, Russia). If you start seeing lillianite, mozgovaite, kirkiite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, felted, lath. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find cannizzarite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
