Diaphorite is a rare lead-silver sulfosalt that typically occurs as slender, vertically striated prismatic crystals. It is primarily found in complex hydrothermal ore deposits, often associated with galena and other silver-bearing minerals. Collectors prize it for its brilliant metallic luster, though specimens are often delicate and difficult to obtain in pristine condition.
Is this diaphorite?
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 diaphorite with a known reference. Diaphorite 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. Diaphorite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Diaphorite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, iron-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, often striated.
Often confused with
Diaphorite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Diaphorite leaves black, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Diaphorite leaves black, Boulangerite leaves brownish-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Diaphorite leaves black, Freieslebenite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside diaphorite
Minerals reported to co-occur with diaphorite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂Ag₃Sb₃S₈
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 6.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Often Striated
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Reference Mineral
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Silver-lead Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 for small thumbnail to miniature specimens
Where rockhounds find diaphorite
Classic worldwide localities
- Příbram (Czech Republic)
- Bad Grund (Germany)
- Broken Hill (Australia)
- Guanajuato (Mexico)
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal silver-lead veins country — that is the host setting where diaphorite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, sphalerite, siderite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, often striated habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find diaphorite on the map
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