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, so Falkmanite leaves black, Boulangerite leaves brownish-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Falkmanite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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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