Chlorargyrite is a soft, waxy silver halide mineral often found as crusts in the oxidized zones of silver-rich ore deposits. It is known for its ability to darken when exposed to light, typically appearing in dull, horn-like masses that give it the historic name Horn Silver.
Is this chlorargyrite?
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 chlorargyrite with a known reference. Chlorargyrite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: resinous to adamantine, waxy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, purplish gray, green, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: columnar, massive.
Often confused with
Chlorargyrite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside chlorargyrite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chlorargyrite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- AgCl
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 5.556 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Resinous to adamantine, waxy
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Columnar, massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of silver
- Host rock
- May be a rich ore in the oxidized zone above silver deposits; commonly preserved in arid climates
Where rockhounds find chlorargyrite
Classic worldwide localities
- Poorman mine, Silver City, Owyhee Co., Idaho, USA
- Lake Valley district, near Hillsboro, Sierra Co., New Mexico, USA
- Tombstone, Cochise Co., and Richmond Basin, near Globe, Gila Co., Arizona, USA
- Bullfrog, Nye Co. and Rochester, Humboldt Co., Nevada, USA
- Saxony, from Marienberg, Freiberg, Johanngeorgenstadt, Schneeberg, Germany
- St. Andreasberg, Harz Mountains, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: May be a rich ore in the oxidized zone above silver deposits; commonly preserved in arid climates. If you start seeing silver, cerussite, iodargyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: columnar, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify chlorargyrite?+
Where is chlorargyrite found?+
Is chlorargyrite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like chlorargyrite?+
What minerals are found with chlorargyrite?+
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What is chlorargyrite used for?+
Find chlorargyrite on the map
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