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, so Giessenite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Giessenite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Giessenite leaves black, Bismuthinite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Giessenite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs, so 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, 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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