Cupropavonite is a rare sulfosalt mineral found within hydrothermal sulfide deposits. It typically appears as metallic, steel-gray grains intergrown with other lead and bismuth sulfides, making identification difficult without micro-analysis.
Is this cupropavonite?
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 cupropavonite with a known reference. Cupropavonite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cupropavonite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cupropavonite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel-gray, lead-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, massive aggregates.
Often confused with
Cupropavonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Cupropavonite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Cupropavonite leaves black, Pavonite leaves grey-black.
How to tell apart: Cupropavonite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs — Cupropavonite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Cupropavonite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs — Cupropavonite leaves black, Aikinite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside cupropavonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cupropavonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- AgPbCuBi₃S₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 6.68 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Massive Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Sulfide Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and provenance
Where rockhounds find cupropavonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cuprum mine, Kazakhstan
- Gladhammer mine, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal sulfide veins country — that is the host setting where cupropavonite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, massive aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify cupropavonite?+
Where is cupropavonite found?+
How much is cupropavonite worth?+
Is cupropavonite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like cupropavonite?+
What minerals are found with cupropavonite?+
What kind of rock does cupropavonite form in?+
What is cupropavonite used for?+
Find cupropavonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
