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, 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
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
