Debattistiite is an extremely rare gold-arsenic-telluride mineral known primarily from the Lengenbach quarry in the Binn Valley, Switzerland. It typically occurs as microscopic anhedral grains associated with complex sulfosalt minerals in dolomitic rocks. Due to its extreme rarity, it is essentially a micro-mount species for advanced mineral collectors.
Is this debattistiite?
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 debattistiite with a known reference. Debattistiite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Debattistiite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Debattistiite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Debattistiite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Gudmundite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 2.5); streak differs — Debattistiite leaves black, Gudmundite leaves dark gray to black.
How to tell apart: Arsenopyrite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 2.5).
Often found alongside debattistiite
Minerals reported to co-occur with debattistiite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- AuAs₂Te
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 6.87 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Dolomite Veins
- Typical price
- n/a
Where rockhounds find debattistiite
Classic worldwide localities
- Binn Valley, Switzerland
Field-hunting tip
Look in dolomite veins country — that is the host setting where debattistiite typically forms. If you start seeing sartorite, dufrénoysite, realgar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find debattistiite on the map
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