Emplectite is a rare copper bismuth sulfide that typically occurs as slender, needle-like or bladed crystals. Collectors prize its distinct metallic luster and striated habits, often found within complex hydrothermal vein deposits alongside other bismuth-bearing minerals.
Is this emplectite?
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 emplectite with a known reference. Emplectite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Emplectite leaves a lead-gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Emplectite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, tin-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular or striated prismatic crystals, often in radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Emplectite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Emplectite leaves lead-gray, Wittichenite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Tetrahedrite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-4 vs. 2); streak differs, so Emplectite leaves lead-gray, Tetrahedrite leaves black.
Often found alongside emplectite
Minerals reported to co-occur with emplectite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuBiS₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 6.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- Lead-gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or Striated Prismatic Crystals, Often in Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail to miniature
Where rockhounds find emplectite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bannockburn, Scotland
- Johanngeorgenstadt, Germany
- Oravita, Romania
- Mina Capillitas, Argentina
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where emplectite typically forms. If you start seeing bismuthinite, chalcopyrite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or striated prismatic crystals, often in radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find emplectite on the map
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