Daomanite is an extremely rare platinum group mineral primarily found in specific copper-iron skarn deposits in China. It typically occurs as microscopic anhedral grains associated with other sulfides and platinum-group minerals, requiring magnification for proper identification. Collectors highly prize it due to its status as a distinct and chemically complex platinum-arsenic sulfide species.
Is this daomanite?
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 daomanite with a known reference. Daomanite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, silver gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, massive.
Often confused with
Daomanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Pyrite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs, so Daomanite leaves black, Pyrite leaves greenish black to brownish black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Daomanite leaves black, Chalcopyrite leaves greenish black.
How to tell apart: Sperrylite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 3.5-4).
Often found alongside daomanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with daomanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuPtAsS₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 7.03 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains, massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}, distinct on {100}, {001}, less distinct on {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A replacement of bornite in contact metasomatic platinum-bearing Co–Cu sulfide mineralization in peridotite-pyroxenite at the contact with anorthosite or granite-gneiss
Where rockhounds find daomanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sandao and Tiema villages (type locality) and near Damiao village and the Yixun River, about 270 km north of Beijing, Yanshan Mounains, Hebei Province, China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A replacement of bornite in contact metasomatic platinum-bearing Co–Cu sulfide mineralization in peridotite-pyroxenite at the contact with anorthosite or granite-gneiss. If you start seeing bornite, chalcopyrite, carrolite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find daomanite on the map
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