Dadsonite is a rare sulfosalt mineral characterized by its delicate, lead-gray acicular or fibrous crystals. It is best identified through its distinct morphology in hydrothermal vein deposits where it typically grows alongside other lead and antimony-rich sulfides.
Is this dadsonite?
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 dadsonite with a known reference. Dadsonite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Dadsonite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Dadsonite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, grayish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular to prismatic crystals, often as fibrous aggregates or hair-like needles.
Often confused with
Dadsonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside dadsonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dadsonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂₃Sb₂₅S₆₀Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 6.22 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular to Prismatic Crystals, Often as Fibrous Aggregates or Hair-like Needles
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find dadsonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
- Wolfsberg, Harz Mountains, Germany
- Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where dadsonite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrite, arsenopyrite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular to prismatic crystals, often as fibrous aggregates or hair-like needles habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find dadsonite on the map
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