Lévyclaudite is a rare lead-copper-tin sulfosalt that typically occurs as fine, acicular, or fibrous aggregates. It is predominantly found in complex lead-zinc-silver hydrothermal ore deposits and is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors.
Is this lévyclaudite?
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 lévyclaudite with a known reference. Lévyclaudite sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lévyclaudite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lévyclaudite 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: acicular to fibrous aggregates.
Often confused with
Lévyclaudite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lévyclaudite leaves black, Bournonite leaves steel-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lévyclaudite leaves black, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lévyclaudite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside lévyclaudite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lévyclaudite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₈Sn₇Pb₃₂S₄₀
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 5.68 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular to Fibrous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and rarity
Where rockhounds find lévyclaudite
Classic worldwide localities
- Saint-Pons, France
- Príbram, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where lévyclaudite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular to fibrous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lévyclaudite?+
Where is lévyclaudite found?+
How much is lévyclaudite worth?+
Is lévyclaudite safe to handle?+
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Find lévyclaudite on the map
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