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 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray.
- 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 4 vs. 2); streak differs, so Garavellite leaves black, Stibnite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Garavellite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 2-2.5); 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
- FeSbBiS₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 5.64 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
- In a hydrothermal copper deposit with disseminated chalcopyrite in siderite gangue
Where rockhounds find garavellite
Classic worldwide localities
- Valle del Frigido, one km east of Massa, Tuscany, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a hydrothermal copper deposit with disseminated chalcopyrite in siderite gangue. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite, pyrrhotite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular aggregates, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify garavellite?+
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Find garavellite on the map
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