Jordanite is a rare lead arsenic sulfosalt often found as distinct, metallic, tabular crystals. It is most famous for its occurrence in the Binn Valley of Switzerland, where it is associated with a variety of other complex sulfosalts.
Is this jordanite?
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 jordanite with a known reference. Jordanite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Jordanite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Jordanite 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: tabular crystals, striated, massive.
Often confused with
Jordanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside jordanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jordanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₁₄As₇S₂₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 6.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Striated, Massive
- Cleavage
- Poor On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Dolomitic Marble Cavities and Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-200 depending on specimen size and clarity
Where rockhounds find jordanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Binn Valley, Switzerland
- Lengenbach Quarry, Switzerland
- Upper Silesia, Poland
- Rosia Montana, Romania
Field-hunting tip
Look in dolomitic marble cavities and hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where jordanite typically forms. If you start seeing dolomite, pyrite, sartorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, striated, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find jordanite on the map
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