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, 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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