Lindströmite is a rare lead-copper-bismuth sulfosalt that typically occurs as slender, acicular crystals or fibrous masses within hydrothermal deposits. It is often indistinguishable from bismuthinite in hand samples, typically requiring laboratory methods like X-ray diffraction or microprobe analysis for positive identification.
Is this lindströmite?
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 lindströmite with a known reference. Lindströmite 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. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, tin white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic, striated.
Often confused with
Lindströmite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lindströmite leaves black, Aikinite leaves grayish black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lindströmite leaves black, Bismuthinite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Lindströmite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2).
Often found alongside lindströmite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lindströmite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₃Pb₃Bi₇S₁₅
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 7.01 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, striated
- Cleavage
- Good on {100} and {010}; also on {230}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- Of hydrothermal origin
Where rockhounds find lindströmite
Classic worldwide localities
- Beaver Mountains, near Milford, Beaver Co., Utah, and at Manhattan, Nye Co., Nevada, USA
- Gladhammar, Kalmar, Sweden (type locality)
- Beresovsk district, near Yekaterinburg (Sverdlovsk), Middle Ural Mountains, and at Inkur, Transbaikal, Russia
- Baia Borşa, Baia Mare (Nagybánya), Romania
- Spissko-Gemerske Rudohorie Mountains, Slovakia
- Loch Shin monzogranite, near Lairg, Scotland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Of hydrothermal origin. If you start seeing krupkaite, bismuth in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic, striated. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lindströmite?+
Where is lindströmite found?+
Is lindströmite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like lindströmite?+
What minerals are found with lindströmite?+
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Find lindströmite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
