Heteromorphite is a rare lead antimony sulfosalt known for its distinctive needle-like or fibrous crystal habits. Collectors should look for fine, delicate, hair-like masses that often resemble stibnite but are usually found in complex hydrothermal lead-zinc vein systems.
Is this heteromorphite?
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 heteromorphite with a known reference. Heteromorphite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Heteromorphite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Heteromorphite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular or hair-like crystals, fibrous aggregates, massive.
Often confused with
Heteromorphite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Heteromorphite leaves black, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Heteromorphite leaves black, Stibnite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Heteromorphite leaves black, Boulangerite leaves brownish-gray.
Often found alongside heteromorphite
Minerals reported to co-occur with heteromorphite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₇Sb₈S₁₉
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 5.7-5.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or Hair-like Crystals, Fibrous Aggregates, Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail, $100-400 cabinet
Where rockhounds find heteromorphite
Classic worldwide localities
- Germany
- Czech Republic
- Bolivia
- Canada
- USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where heteromorphite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, stibnite, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or hair-like crystals, fibrous aggregates, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find heteromorphite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
