Leucopyrite, widely known by the name Löllingite, is an iron arsenide mineral characterized by its bright silver-white metallic appearance. It is frequently confused with arsenopyrite but can often be distinguished by its lack of sulfur content and specific associations in hydrothermal ore deposits.
Is this leucopyrite?
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 leucopyrite with a known reference. Leucopyrite sits at Mohs 5.5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Leucopyrite leaves a grayish-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Leucopyrite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white, steel-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Leucopyrite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Leucopyrite leaves grayish-black, Arsenopyrite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Leucopyrite leaves grayish-black, Skutterudite leaves black.
Often found alongside leucopyrite
Minerals reported to co-occur with leucopyrite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeAs₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 7.4-7.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Grayish-black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {010}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Arsenic
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Skarns, Metamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- $15-150 per specimen depending on size and crystal quality
Where rockhounds find leucopyrite
2 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Lölling, Austria
- Franklin, New Jersey, USA
- Cobalt, Ontario, Canada
- Gedrite, Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, skarns, metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where leucopyrite typically forms. If you start seeing arsenopyrite, siderite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in New York — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify leucopyrite?+
Where is leucopyrite found?+
Can I find leucopyrite in the United States?+
How much is leucopyrite worth?+
Is leucopyrite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like leucopyrite?+
What minerals are found with leucopyrite?+
What kind of rock does leucopyrite form in?+
What is leucopyrite used for?+
Find leucopyrite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
