Lillianite is a rare sulfosalt mineral typically found as lead-gray, metallic grains or elongated prisms within hydrothermal vein systems. It is most famous for its occurrence in the lead-zinc-silver mines of Colorado, though it is often difficult to identify definitively without chemical analysis due to its similarity to other lead-bismuth sulfosalts.
Is this lillianite?
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 lillianite with a known reference. Lillianite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lillianite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lillianite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, steel-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive, elongated grains.
Often confused with
Lillianite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside lillianite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lillianite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₃Pb₂Bi₂S₆
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 7.0-7.3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive, Elongated Grains
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Geological Research
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Contact Metamorphic Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail specimen
Where rockhounds find lillianite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lillian Mine, Leadville, Colorado
- Boliden, Sweden
- Baia Sprie, Romania
- Svecofennian deposits, Finland
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, contact metamorphic deposits country — that is the host setting where lillianite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive, elongated grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find lillianite on the map
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