Grundmannite is a rare copper selenide mineral originally discovered in the Harz Mountains of Germany. It is typically found as small, lead-gray metallic grains embedded in complex selenium-rich ore assemblages.
Is this grundmannite?
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 grundmannite with a known reference. Grundmannite sits at Mohs 4.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Grundmannite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Grundmannite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains.
Often confused with
Grundmannite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Grundmannite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs — Grundmannite leaves black, Clausthalite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Grundmannite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2).
How to tell apart: Cobaltite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5 vs. 4.5); streak differs — Grundmannite leaves black, Cobaltite leaves greyish-black.
Often found alongside grundmannite
Minerals reported to co-occur with grundmannite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuSe₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 7.52 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral to Subhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Selenium-rich Veins
- Typical price
- $100-500 per specimen
Where rockhounds find grundmannite
Classic worldwide localities
- Friedrichroda, Thuringia, Germany
- Sierra de Cacheuta, Argentina
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal selenium-rich veins country — that is the host setting where grundmannite typically forms. If you start seeing clausthalite, umangite, klockmannite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral to subhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find grundmannite on the map
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