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 — Lévyclaudite leaves black, Bournonite leaves steel-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Lévyclaudite leaves black, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
