Jasrouxite is a very rare lead-antimony sulfosalt known primarily from its type locality at the Jas Roux deposit in France. It typically occurs as small, metallic grains embedded within complex hydrothermal vein systems alongside other lead-bearing minerals.
Is this jasrouxite?
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 jasrouxite with a known reference. Jasrouxite 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. Streak: gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic inclusions.
Often confused with
Jasrouxite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Jasrouxite leaves gray, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Jasrouxite leaves gray, Sartorite leaves chocolate-brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Jasrouxite leaves gray, Dufrénoysite leaves reddish brown to chocolate-brown; luster reads metallic on Jasrouxite and submetallic on Dufrénoysite.
Often found alongside jasrouxite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jasrouxite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₁₆Pb₄(Sb₂₅As₁₅)S₇₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 4.87 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains, microscopic inclusions
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An early hydrothermal (epithermal) mineral along veins in silicified meta-sedimentary rocks
Where rockhounds find jasrouxite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jas Roux, in the Pelvoux Massif, Hautes-Alpes département, France
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An early hydrothermal (epithermal) mineral along veins in silicified meta-sedimentary rocks. If you start seeing baumhauerite-boscardinite, pyrite, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify jasrouxite?+
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What rocks look like jasrouxite?+
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Find jasrouxite on the map
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