Giessenite is a rare sulfosalt mineral primarily known from the Binnental region of Switzerland. It typically occurs as small, lead-gray acicular crystals or fibrous masses embedded in dolomitic marble, making it a prized specimen for collectors of rare sulfides and sulfosalts.
Is this giessenite?
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 giessenite with a known reference. Giessenite 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. Giessenite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Giessenite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, blackish-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, fibrous aggregates, massive.
Often confused with
Giessenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Giessenite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs — Giessenite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Giessenite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Giessenite leaves black, Bismuthinite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Giessenite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs — Giessenite leaves black, Aikinite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside giessenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with giessenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂₆Cu₆Bi₂₆S₅₇
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 6.3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Fibrous Aggregates, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Metamorphic Dolomite
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and clarity
Where rockhounds find giessenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Binnental, Switzerland
- Boliden, Sweden
- Kitzbühel, Austria
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, metamorphic dolomite country — that is the host setting where giessenite typically forms. If you start seeing sphalerite, galena, dolomite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, fibrous aggregates, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find giessenite on the map
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