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, so Cupropavonite leaves black, Pavonite leaves grey-black.
How to tell apart: Cupropavonite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Cupropavonite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Cupropavonite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs, so 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, 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?+
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Is cupropavonite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like cupropavonite?+
What minerals are found with cupropavonite?+
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Find cupropavonite on the map
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