Garavellite is a rare sulfide mineral that primarily forms as granular masses in hydrothermal environments. Collectors typically look for its distinct metallic luster and steel-gray color, which closely resemble other antimony or bismuth minerals.
Is this garavellite?
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 garavellite with a known reference. Garavellite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Garavellite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Garavellite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel-gray, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: granular aggregates, massive.
Often confused with
Garavellite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Garavellite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Garavellite leaves black, Stibnite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Garavellite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Garavellite leaves black, Bismuthinite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside garavellite
Minerals reported to co-occur with garavellite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeSbBiS₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 6.87 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Granular Aggregates, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find garavellite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tuscany, Italy
- Slovakia
- Romania
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where garavellite typically forms. If you start seeing stibnite, pyrite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular aggregates, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find garavellite on the map
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