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 2.5-3, 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.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: lamellar, microscopic crystals.
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 to iron-black; luster reads metallic on Lévyclaudite and brilliant to dull on Bournonite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lévyclaudite leaves black, Jamesonite leaves black. grayish.
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
- Pb₈Cu₃Sn₇(Bi,Sb)₃S₂₈
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 6.04 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Lamellar, microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a vein in a Pb-Zn deposit
Where rockhounds find lévyclaudite
Classic worldwide localities
- Aghios Philippos Pb-Zn deposit, Kirki district, Greece (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a vein in a Pb-Zn deposit. If you start seeing pyrite, sphalerite, kirkiite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: lamellar, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lévyclaudite?+
Where is lévyclaudite found?+
Is lévyclaudite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like lévyclaudite?+
What minerals are found with lévyclaudite?+
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Find lévyclaudite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
