Gallite is a very rare copper-gallium sulfide that typically occurs as microscopic inclusions or fine-grained masses within other sulfide ores. Collectors generally find it in material originating from the Tsumeb mine in Namibia, where it is often associated with other rare germanium-bearing minerals.
Is this gallite?
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 gallite with a known reference. Gallite sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Gallite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Gallite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, dark gray, blackish-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: massive, anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Gallite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Gallite leaves black, Chalcopyrite leaves greenish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Gallite leaves black, Sphalerite leaves white to yellow-brown; luster reads metallic on Gallite and resinous to submetallic on Sphalerite.
Often found alongside gallite
Minerals reported to co-occur with gallite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuGaS₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 4.35 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Polymetallic Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find gallite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Kippen, Germany
- Kopparberg, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposits country, the host setting where gallite typically forms. If you start seeing tennantite, germanite, bornite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find gallite on the map
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