Famatinite is a rare copper antimony sulfide often found as a massive or granular mineral in hydrothermal deposits. It is easily confused with its dimorph enargite, typically distinguished by a slightly redder metallic luster and distinct copper-red tint in reflected light.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineraluncommonEnargite Group family

Famatinite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

Is this famatinite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch famatinite with a known reference. Famatinite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Famatinite leaves a black streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Famatinite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: copper-red, reddish-gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: massive, granular, or crusts.

Often confused with

Famatinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Enargite

Mohs 3

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Famatinite leaves black, Enargite leaves grayish-black.

Often found alongside famatinite

Minerals reported to co-occur with famatinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Cu₃SbS₄
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 4.57 g/cm³
Colors: Copper-red Reddish-gray
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Massive, Granular, Or Crusts
Cleavage: Distinct On {112}
Rarity: Uncommon
Uses: Collector, Ore of Copper
Host rock: Epithermal Hydrothermal Veins
Typical price: $20-150 for thumbnail to cabinet specimens

Where rockhounds find famatinite

Classic worldwide localities

Sierra de Famatina, Argentina
Chuquicamata, Chile
Lepanto mine, Philippines
Bor, Serbia

Field-hunting tip

Look in epithermal hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where famatinite typically forms. If you start seeing enargite, pyrite, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify famatinite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is black. Common colors include copper-red, reddish-gray.

Where is famatinite found?+

Notable localities include Sierra de Famatina, Argentina; Chuquicamata, Chile; Lepanto mine, Philippines; Bor, Serbia.

How much is famatinite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-150 for thumbnail to cabinet specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is famatinite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains copper, antimony, and sulfur. Avoid breathing dust or ingestion, and wash hands thoroughly after handling specimens. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like famatinite?+

Famatinite is most often confused with Enargite, Tetrahedrite, Stannite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with famatinite?+

Famatinite commonly co-occurs with Enargite, Pyrite, Sphalerite, Galena, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does famatinite form in?+

Famatinite typically forms in epithermal hydrothermal veins. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is famatinite used for?+

Famatinite is used in collector, ore of copper.

Find famatinite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.