Freieslebenite is a rare silver-lead sulfosalt often found in hydrothermal ore veins. It typically forms characteristic striated prismatic crystals that exhibit a distinct lead-gray metallic luster.
Is this freieslebenite?
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 freieslebenite with a known reference. Freieslebenite sits at Mohs 2-2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Freieslebenite leaves a lead-gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Freieslebenite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, steel-gray, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic, striated, sometimes complex or twinned crystals.
Often confused with
Freieslebenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Freieslebenite leaves lead-gray, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Freieslebenite leaves lead-gray, Bournonite leaves steel-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Freieslebenite leaves lead-gray, Stephanite leaves black.
Often found alongside freieslebenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with freieslebenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- AgPbSbS₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 6.2-6.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- Lead-gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, Striated, Sometimes Complex or Twinned Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Rare Mineral Species
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Silver-lead Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 thumbnail, $500+ specimen
Where rockhounds find freieslebenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Freiberg, Saxony, Germany
- Hiendelaencina, Spain
- Pachuca, Mexico
- Boldut mine, Romania
- Casapalca, Peru
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal silver-lead deposits country — that is the host setting where freieslebenite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, siderite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic, striated, sometimes complex or twinned crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify freieslebenite?+
Where is freieslebenite found?+
How much is freieslebenite worth?+
Is freieslebenite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like freieslebenite?+
What minerals are found with freieslebenite?+
What kind of rock does freieslebenite form in?+
What is freieslebenite used for?+
Find freieslebenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
