Erzwiesite is an incredibly rare sulfosalt mineral primarily known from its type locality in the Gastein Valley of Austria. It typically occurs as small, metallic inclusions within quartz-rich hydrothermal veins associated with other lead and copper-bearing sulfides.
Is this erzwiesite?
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 erzwiesite with a known reference. Erzwiesite 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. Erzwiesite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Erzwiesite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic inclusions.
Often confused with
Erzwiesite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Erzwiesite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Erzwiesite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Erzwiesite leaves black, Bismuthinite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside erzwiesite
Minerals reported to co-occur with erzwiesite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₃Ag₄Cu₄Bi₁₄S₂₇
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 6.08 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Microscopic Inclusions
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Quartz Veins
- Typical price
- n/a (extremely rare specimen material)
Where rockhounds find erzwiesite
Classic worldwide localities
- Erzwies, Gastein Valley, Salzburg, Austria
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal quartz veins country — that is the host setting where erzwiesite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, quartz, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, microscopic inclusions habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find erzwiesite on the map
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