Iodargyrite is a rare silver halide mineral that forms in the oxidized zones of silver deposits. It typically appears as thin, yellowish, waxy-looking tabular crystals or coatings on other minerals and is highly prized by collectors for its role as a primary silver mineral.
Is this iodargyrite?
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 iodargyrite with a known reference. Iodargyrite sits at Mohs 1.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Iodargyrite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Iodargyrite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-green, brownish, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, crusts.
Often confused with
Iodargyrite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside iodargyrite
Minerals reported to co-occur with iodargyrite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- AgI
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5
- Density
- 5.6-5.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Silver Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on crystal size and provenance
Where rockhounds find iodargyrite
Classic worldwide localities
- Broken Hill, Australia
- Tonopah, Nevada, USA
- Cerro Gordo, California, USA
- Chañarcillo, Chile
- Aspen, Colorado, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of silver ore deposits country — that is the host setting where iodargyrite typically forms. If you start seeing chlorargyrite, silver, cerussite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find iodargyrite on the map
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