Gabrielsonite is an extremely rare lead-iron arsenate mineral found almost exclusively in the famous Långban mines of Sweden. It typically appears as yellowish, resinous to vitreous crusts or fine-grained aggregates associated with manganese and iron minerals. Due to its extreme rarity and high arsenic-lead content, it is primarily a target for specialized micromount or advanced mineral species collectors.
Is this gabrielsonite?
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 gabrielsonite with a known reference. Gabrielsonite sits at Mohs 4.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Gabrielsonite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Gabrielsonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: granular aggregates, thin crusts.
Often confused with
Gabrielsonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Gabrielsonite leaves yellowish-white, Mimetite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Gabrielsonite and adamantine on Mimetite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Gabrielsonite leaves yellowish-white, Adelite leaves white.
Often found alongside gabrielsonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with gabrielsonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbFe(AsO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 4.87 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Granular Aggregates, Thin Crusts
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Iron-manganese Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per small specimen
Where rockhounds find gabrielsonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Värmland, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed iron-manganese ore deposits country — that is the host setting where gabrielsonite typically forms. If you start seeing hedyphane, hausmannite, baryte in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular aggregates, thin crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify gabrielsonite?+
Where is gabrielsonite found?+
How much is gabrielsonite worth?+
Is gabrielsonite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like gabrielsonite?+
What minerals are found with gabrielsonite?+
What kind of rock does gabrielsonite form in?+
What is gabrielsonite used for?+
Find gabrielsonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
