Litochlebite is an extremely rare silver lead bismuth selenide mineral first discovered in the Příbram mining district. It typically occurs as small, metallic anhedral grains embedded within selenide-rich hydrothermal veins. Due to its scarcity and complex composition, it is a highly prized species for advanced systematic mineral collectors.
Is this litochlebite?
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 litochlebite with a known reference. Litochlebite sits at Mohs ~3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: dark gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Litochlebite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Litochlebite leaves dark gray, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Litochlebite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~3 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs, so Litochlebite leaves dark gray, Tetradymite leaves pale steel-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Litochlebite leaves dark gray, Bismuthinite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside litochlebite
Minerals reported to co-occur with litochlebite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₂PbBi₄Se₈
- Mohs hardness
- ~3
- Density
- 7.90 g/cm³
- Streak
- Dark gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A primary phase in hydrothermal veins in a uranium deposit
Where rockhounds find litochlebite
Classic worldwide localities
- Zálesí uranium deposit, Rychlebské hory Mountains, northern Moravia, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A primary phase in hydrothermal veins in a uranium deposit. If you start seeing quartz, uraninite, hematite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify litochlebite?+
Where is litochlebite found?+
Is litochlebite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like litochlebite?+
What minerals are found with litochlebite?+
What kind of rock does litochlebite form in?+
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Find litochlebite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
