Kutinaite is a rare copper-silver intermetallic mineral that typically occurs in massive or granular forms within silver-rich hydrothermal vein deposits. It is best identified through polished sections under reflected light microscopy due to its metallic luster and association with other silver-antimony minerals.
Is this kutinaite?
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 kutinaite with a known reference. Kutinaite sits at Mohs ~4.5, 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: silver gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Kutinaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kutinaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kutinaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₆Cu₁₄As₇
- Mohs hardness
- ~4.5
- Density
- 8.38 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- In carbonate-rich hydrothermal veins (Černý Důl mine, Czech Republic)
Where rockhounds find kutinaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Černý Důl mine, Krkonoše (Giant Mountains), Czech Republic (type locality)
- Wasserfall, about 20 km northwest of Belfort, Haute-Saône, France
- Mühltal, Niederbeerbach, Odenwald, Hesse, Germany
- Meskani mine, Anarak district, Iran
- East Arm area, Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In carbonate-rich hydrothermal veins (Černý Důl mine, Czech Republic). If you start seeing novákite, koutekite, paxite 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 kutinaite?+
Where is kutinaite found?+
Is kutinaite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like kutinaite?+
What minerals are found with kutinaite?+
What kind of rock does kutinaite form in?+
What is kutinaite used for?+
Find kutinaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
