Enneasartorite is an extremely rare lead-arsenic sulfosalt primarily found in the famous Binn Valley deposits. It typically forms as delicate, metallic, striated prismatic crystals and is visually indistinguishable from its related sulfosalt group members without chemical analysis.
Is this enneasartorite?
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 enneasartorite with a known reference. Enneasartorite sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: dark brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: striated prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Enneasartorite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Enneasartorite leaves dark brown, Sartorite leaves chocolate-brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Enneasartorite leaves dark brown, Liveingite leaves chocolate-brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Enneasartorite leaves dark brown, Dufrénoysite leaves reddish brown to chocolate-brown; luster reads metallic on Enneasartorite and submetallic on Dufrénoysite.
Often found alongside enneasartorite
Minerals reported to co-occur with enneasartorite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Tl₆Pb₃₂As₇₀S₁₄₀
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 5.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Dark brown
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Striated prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- Good on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In dolostone
Where rockhounds find enneasartorite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lengenbach quarry, Binntal, Wallis, Switzerland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In dolostone. If you start seeing heptasartorite, rathite, baumhauerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: striated prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify enneasartorite?+
Where is enneasartorite found?+
Is enneasartorite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like enneasartorite?+
What minerals are found with enneasartorite?+
What kind of rock does enneasartorite form in?+
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Find enneasartorite on the map
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