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.
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 — that is 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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