Disulfodadsonite is an extremely rare sulfosalt mineral structurally related to dadsonite, often found as delicate fibrous or acicular aggregates in lead-antimony vein deposits. It is best identified through laboratory analysis such as X-ray diffraction, as it is visually indistinguishable from other lead-antimony sulfosalts to the naked eye.
Is this disulfodadsonite?
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 disulfodadsonite with a known reference. Disulfodadsonite 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. Disulfodadsonite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Disulfodadsonite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, fibrous aggregates.
Often confused with
Disulfodadsonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Disulfodadsonite leaves black, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Disulfodadsonite leaves black, Boulangerite leaves brownish-gray.
Often found alongside disulfodadsonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with disulfodadsonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂₃Sb₂₅S₅₈Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 6.0-6.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Fibrous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find disulfodadsonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia
- Wolfsberg, Germany
- Broken Hill, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where disulfodadsonite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, pyrite, siderite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, fibrous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify disulfodadsonite?+
Where is disulfodadsonite found?+
How much is disulfodadsonite worth?+
Is disulfodadsonite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like disulfodadsonite?+
What minerals are found with disulfodadsonite?+
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Find disulfodadsonite on the map
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