Falkmanite is a rare lead-antimony sulfosalt that is often difficult to distinguish from boulangerite without X-ray diffraction. It typically presents as metallic lead-gray acicular or fibrous aggregates within hydrothermal ore deposits.
Is this falkmanite?
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 falkmanite with a known reference. Falkmanite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Falkmanite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Falkmanite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, steel-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, fibrous, massive.
Often confused with
Falkmanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Falkmanite leaves black, Boulangerite leaves brownish-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Falkmanite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Falkmanite leaves black, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.
Often found alongside falkmanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with falkmanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₃Sb₂S₆
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 6.2 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Fibrous, Massive
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Sulfide Veins
- Typical price
- $20-100 for small study specimens
Where rockhounds find falkmanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Boliden, Sweden
- Baia Mare, Romania
- Broken Hill, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal sulfide veins country — that is the host setting where falkmanite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, pyrite, arsenopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, fibrous, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find falkmanite on the map
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