Eskebornite is a rare copper iron selenide that typically presents as massive grains or aggregates within hydrothermal vein systems. It is most easily identified by its characteristic brass-yellow color and association with other rare selenium minerals, often requiring X-ray diffraction or chemical analysis for positive identification.
Is this eskebornite?
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 eskebornite with a known reference. Eskebornite 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: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bronze.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: inclusions, pseudo cubic.
Often confused with
Eskebornite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside eskebornite
Minerals reported to co-occur with eskebornite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuFeSe₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 5.35 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Inclusions, pseudo cubic
- Cleavage
- {001}, perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In low-temperature hydrothermal vein deposits
Where rockhounds find eskebornite
Classic worldwide localities
- Eskeborn adit, Tilkerode, Harz Mountains, Germany (type locality)
- Chaméane uranium mine, near Vernet-la-Varenne, Puy-de-Dôme, France
- Bukov, near Tisnova, Czech Republic
- Petrovice uranium deposit, near Ždǎr, Czech Republic
- Předbořice uranium deposit, near Krásna Hora, Czech Republic
- Slavkovice, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In low-temperature hydrothermal vein deposits. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, clausthalite, tiemannite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions, pseudo cubic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify eskebornite?+
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Is eskebornite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like eskebornite?+
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Find eskebornite on the map
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