Hatchite is an extremely rare lead-thallium-arsenic sulfosalt primarily found in the famous Binn Valley of Switzerland. It typically occurs as small, metallic black tabular crystals within dolomitic marble, often closely associated with other complex arsenic-bearing minerals.
Is this hatchite?
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 hatchite with a known reference. Hatchite 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. Hatchite leaves a reddish-brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hatchite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Hatchite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Hatchite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs — Hatchite leaves reddish-brown, Gratonite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Hatchite leaves reddish-brown, Sartorite leaves chocolate-brown.
Often found alongside hatchite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hatchite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbTlAs₂S₅
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 5.45 g/cm³
- Streak
- Reddish-brown
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Dolomitic Marble
- Typical price
- $100-1000+ per specimen
Where rockhounds find hatchite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lengenbach Quarry, Binn Valley, Switzerland
Field-hunting tip
Look in dolomitic marble country — that is the host setting where hatchite typically forms. If you start seeing realgar, orpiment, sartorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find hatchite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
