Herzenbergite is a rare tin sulfide mineral that typically forms as black, platy, or massive aggregates within tin-bearing hydrothermal veins. It is distinguished from similar-looking metallic sulfides by its low hardness and association with primary tin deposits.
Is this herzenbergite?
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 herzenbergite with a known reference. Herzenbergite sits at Mohs ~2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, lamellar, or platy aggregates.
Often confused with
Herzenbergite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Herzenbergite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Herzenbergite leaves black, Stibnite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Herzenbergite leaves black, Molybdenite leaves bluish gray.
Often found alongside herzenbergite
Minerals reported to co-occur with herzenbergite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SnS
- Mohs hardness
- ~2
- Density
- 5.22 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, lamellar, or platy aggregates
- Cleavage
- {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Of hydrothermal origin, later than the deposition of cassiterite
Where rockhounds find herzenbergite
Classic worldwide localities
- Fom the Maria-Teresa mine, near Huari, between Oruro and Uyuni, Bolivia (type locality)
- Stiepelmann mine, near Arandis, Namibia
- Shinkiura and in the Hoei tin mine, Oita Prefecture, Japan
- Goluboye deposit, Primorskiy Kray, Russia
- Baimka placer deposit, western Chukotka, Russia
- Druzhba deposit, Sakha, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Of hydrothermal origin, later than the deposition of cassiterite. If you start seeing cassiterite, stannite, romarchite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive, lamellar, or platy aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify herzenbergite?+
Where is herzenbergite found?+
Is herzenbergite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like herzenbergite?+
What minerals are found with herzenbergite?+
What kind of rock does herzenbergite form in?+
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Find herzenbergite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
