Liveingite is a rare sulfosalt mineral primarily known from the famous Lengenbach Quarry in Switzerland. Collectors look for its characteristic lead-gray to black tabular crystals which often display complex crystal forms and striations.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Chocolate-brown

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareSartorite Group family

Liveingite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Chocolate-brown
Transparency: Opaque

Is this liveingite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch liveingite with a known reference. Liveingite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: chocolate-brown.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: lead gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular to prismatic crystals, often heavily striated.

Often confused with

Liveingite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Liveingite leaves chocolate-brown, Dufrénoysite leaves reddish brown to chocolate-brown; luster reads metallic on Liveingite and submetallic on Dufrénoysite.

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Often found alongside liveingite

Minerals reported to co-occur with liveingite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Pb₂₀As₂₄S₅₆
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 5.3 g/cm³
Colors: Lead gray
Streak: Chocolate-brown
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular to prismatic crystals, often heavily striated
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Of hydrothermal origin

Where rockhounds find liveingite

Classic worldwide localities

Lengenbach quarry, Binntal, Valais, Switzerland (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Of hydrothermal origin. If you start seeing pyrite, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular to prismatic crystals, often heavily striated. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify liveingite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. Luster: metallic. The streak is chocolate-brown. Common colors include lead gray.

Where is liveingite found?+

Notable localities include Lengenbach quarry, Binntal, Valais, Switzerland (type locality).

Is liveingite safe to handle?+

Liveingite contains arsenic and lead and calls for real care. Contains arsenic and lead. Handle with care, wash hands after handling, avoid creating dust.

What rocks look like liveingite?+

Liveingite is most often confused with Sartorite, Dufrénoysite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with liveingite?+

Liveingite commonly co-occurs with Pyrite, Sphalerite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does liveingite form in?+

Where it forms: Of hydrothermal origin. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is liveingite used for?+

Liveingite is used in collector.

Find liveingite on the map

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