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, so Garavellite leaves black, Stibnite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Garavellite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so 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, 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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