Hammarite is a rare lead-bismuth sulfide that typically forms as elongated prismatic or needle-like crystals. It is most easily identified by its metallic lead-gray color and association with other lead-bismuth sulfosalts in hydrothermal sulfide deposits.
Is this hammarite?
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 hammarite with a known reference. Hammarite 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. Hammarite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hammarite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular or prismatic crystals, commonly in radial aggregates or massive.
Often confused with
Hammarite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Hammarite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs — Hammarite leaves black, Aikinite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Hammarite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs — Hammarite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Hammarite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Hammarite leaves black, Bismuthinite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside hammarite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hammarite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂Bi₄S₉
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 6.8-7.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or Prismatic Crystals, Commonly in Radial Aggregates or Massive
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find hammarite
Classic worldwide localities
- Gladhammar, Sweden
- Berezovsk, Russia
- Marmato, Colombia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where hammarite typically forms. If you start seeing aikinite, galena, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or prismatic crystals, commonly in radial aggregates or massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find hammarite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
