Dyscrasite is a rare silver-antimony mineral primarily found in silver-rich hydrothermal vein deposits. It is often distinguished by its silver-white color that quickly tarnishes to a brassy yellow or dark gray upon exposure to air.
Is this dyscrasite?
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 dyscrasite with a known reference. Dyscrasite 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. Dyscrasite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Dyscrasite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white, lead-gray, tarnishes-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Dyscrasite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Dyscrasite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2.5); streak differs — Dyscrasite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Dyscrasite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); streak differs — Dyscrasite leaves black, Stibnite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Dyscrasite leaves black, Silver leaves silver-white.
Often found alongside dyscrasite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dyscrasite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₃Sb
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 9.4-10.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Silver
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail, $300-2000+ cabinet
Where rockhounds find dyscrasite
Classic worldwide localities
- Andreasberg, Germany
- Broken Hill, Australia
- Cobalt, Canada
- Sala, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where dyscrasite typically forms. If you start seeing silver, galena, tetrahedrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find dyscrasite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
