Heyrovskýite is a rare lead-bismuth sulfosalt that typically occurs in metallic gray lamellar or massive forms. It is found in hydrothermal vein systems and is prized by micromount collectors for its distinct orthorhombic crystal structure and metallic luster.
Is this heyrovskýite?
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 heyrovskýite with a known reference. Heyrovskýite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: grayish black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic, tarnishes black.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: tin white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular, prismatic.
Often confused with
Heyrovskýite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Heyrovskýite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2.5-2.75); streak differs, so Heyrovskýite leaves grayish black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Heyrovskýite leaves grayish black, Lillianite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Heyrovskýite leaves grayish black, Cosalite leaves black.
Often found alongside heyrovskýite
Minerals reported to co-occur with heyrovskýite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₆Bi₂S₉
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 7.17 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Grayish black
- Luster
- Metallic, tarnishes black
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, prismatic
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In high-temperature quartz veins
Where rockhounds find heyrovskýite
Classic worldwide localities
- Darwin, Inyo Co., California, USA
- Reward prospects, Ravenswood district, Lander Co., Nevada, USA
- Idarado mine, Ouray Co., and the Alaska mine, Poughkeepsie Gulch, near Ouray, San Juan Co., Colorado, USA
- Hůrky, about 65 km west of Prague (type locality), Czech Republic
- Furka Pass, Uri, and at Goppenstein, Lotschentnal, Valais, Switzerland
- Rauriser Goldberg, Salzburg, Austria
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In high-temperature quartz veins. If you start seeing pyrite, sphalerite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find heyrovskýite on the map
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