Edenharterite is an extremely rare thallium-lead sulfosalt discovered in the famous Lengenbach locality of the Swiss Alps. It typically occurs as small, lead-gray prismatic crystals embedded within dolomite, often associated with other exotic sulfosalts.
Is this edenharterite?
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 edenharterite with a known reference. Edenharterite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Edenharterite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Edenharterite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Edenharterite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Edenharterite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 1.5-2).
How to tell apart: Edenharterite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs — Edenharterite leaves black, Smithite leaves orange-red; luster reads metallic on Edenharterite and adamantine on Smithite.
How to tell apart: Edenharterite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs — Edenharterite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside edenharterite
Minerals reported to co-occur with edenharterite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Tl,Pb)₃As₅S₉
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.87 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Dolomite Rocks
- Typical price
- $100-500+ for micro-mounts
Where rockhounds find edenharterite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lengenbach Quarry, Binn Valley, Switzerland
Field-hunting tip
Look in dolomite rocks country — that is the host setting where edenharterite typically forms. If you start seeing lengenbachite, smithite, realgar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find edenharterite on the map
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