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, 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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