Dzierżanowskite is a rare silver-copper sulfide mineral discovered in the Kupferschiefer deposits of Poland. It typically occurs as microscopic inclusions within other sulfide minerals, making it a challenging species for collectors to identify without professional analytical equipment.
Is this dzierżanowskite?
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 dzierżanowskite with a known reference. Dzierżanowskite 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. Streak: creamy.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: submetallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains.
Often confused with
Dzierżanowskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Dzierżanowskite leaves creamy, Chalcocite leaves blackish lead-gray; luster reads submetallic on Dzierżanowskite and metallic on Chalcocite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Dzierżanowskite leaves creamy, Stromeyerite leaves steel-gray; luster reads submetallic on Dzierżanowskite and metallic on Stromeyerite.
Often found alongside dzierżanowskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dzierżanowskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaCu₂S₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 4.391 g/cm³
- Colors
- Dark orange
- Streak
- Creamy
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral to subhedral grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In pyrometamorphic rocks of the Hatrurim Complex (“Mottled Zone”)
Where rockhounds find dzierżanowskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Near Nabi Musa and Jabel Harmun, West Bank
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In pyrometamorphic rocks of the Hatrurim Complex (“Mottled Zone”). If you start seeing chalcocite, covellite, anilite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify dzierżanowskite?+
Where is dzierżanowskite found?+
Is dzierżanowskite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like dzierżanowskite?+
What minerals are found with dzierżanowskite?+
What kind of rock does dzierżanowskite form in?+
What is dzierżanowskite used for?+
Find dzierżanowskite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
