Cuproneyite is a rare copper-lead-bismuth selenide mineral known for its dark, metallic luster and occurrence in seleniferous hydrothermal deposits. It is typically found in massive forms or as microscopic inclusions within other sulfide minerals, making it a challenging mineral for general collectors to identify without analytical testing.
Is this cuproneyite?
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 cuproneyite with a known reference. Cuproneyite 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. Cuproneyite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cuproneyite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark blue, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, crusts, acicular.
Often confused with
Cuproneyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Cuproneyite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray; luster reads submetallic on Cuproneyite and metallic on Galena.
How to tell apart: Luster reads submetallic on Cuproneyite and metallic on Wittichenite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads submetallic on Cuproneyite and metallic on Tetrahedrite.
Often found alongside cuproneyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cuproneyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₇Pb₄Bi₂Se₁₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 4.9-5.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Crusts, Acicular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find cuproneyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cuproney mine, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where cuproneyite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, crusts, acicular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find cuproneyite on the map
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