Jeanbandyite is a very rare member of the stannite group that forms as a secondary mineral in tin deposits. Collectors typically search for its characteristic resinous, yellow to brown tabular crystals often found associated with other tin minerals like cassiterite.
Is this jeanbandyite?
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 jeanbandyite with a known reference. Jeanbandyite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Jeanbandyite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Jeanbandyite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-brown, brown, orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Jeanbandyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Jeanbandyite leaves yellow, Stottite leaves brownish black; luster reads resinous on Jeanbandyite and adamantine on Stottite.
How to tell apart: Souzalite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 3-4); streak differs — Jeanbandyite leaves yellow, Souzalite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Jeanbandyite and vitreous on Souzalite.
Often found alongside jeanbandyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jeanbandyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe³⁺Sn(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 4.92 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Tin-bearing Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and clarity
Where rockhounds find jeanbandyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Llallagua, Bolivia
- Potosi, Bolivia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal tin-bearing veins country — that is the host setting where jeanbandyite typically forms. If you start seeing stannite, cassiterite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find jeanbandyite on the map
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