Enargite is a brittle copper-arsenic sulfosalt commonly found in intermediate-temperature hydrothermal veins. It is typically identified by its metallic grayish-black luster, perfect cleavage, and association with other sulfide minerals. Collectors prize well-formed, striated prismatic crystals from classic mining districts like Butte, Montana.
Is this enargite?
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 enargite with a known reference. Enargite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Enargite leaves a grayish-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Enargite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: grayish-black, iron-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Enargite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Enargite leaves grayish-black, Tetrahedrite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Enargite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. 2); streak differs, so Enargite leaves grayish-black, Stibnite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside enargite
Minerals reported to co-occur with enargite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₃AsS₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 4.4-4.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Grayish-black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect Prismatic
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Copper
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $10-150 depending on specimen size and crystal definition
Where rockhounds find enargite
Classic worldwide localities
- Butte, Montana, USA
- Quiruvilca, Peru
- Bor, Serbia
- Chuquicamata, Chile
- Lepanto, Philippines
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where enargite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrite, sphalerite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find enargite on the map
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