Kiddcreekite is an extremely rare copper-tin-tungsten sulfide mineral discovered in the Kidd Creek Mine. It typically occurs as microscopic grains within complex massive sulfide ore and is primarily of interest to mineralogical researchers and advanced systematic collectors.
Is this kiddcreekite?
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 kiddcreekite with a known reference. Kiddcreekite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, gray brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Kiddcreekite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Kiddcreekite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 3-3.25); streak differs, so Kiddcreekite leaves black, Bornite leaves pale grayish black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kiddcreekite leaves black, Chalcopyrite leaves greenish black.
Often found alongside kiddcreekite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kiddcreekite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₆SnWS₈
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 4.88 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In massive copper sulfide ores
Where rockhounds find kiddcreekite
Classic worldwide localities
- Campbell mine, Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, and at Butte, Silver Bow Co., Montana, USA
- Kidd Creek mine, near Timmins, Ontario, Canada (type locality)
- Bitian Cu–Au–Ag deposit, Fujian Province, China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In massive copper sulfide ores. If you start seeing scheelite, carrollite, clausthalite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kiddcreekite?+
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Find kiddcreekite on the map
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