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.
Is this liveingite?
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 liveingite with a known reference. Liveingite 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. Liveingite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Liveingite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal 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.
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
- Pb₉As₁₂S₂₈
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 5.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to Prismatic Crystals, Often Heavily Striated
- Cleavage
- Good in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Dolomitic Marble in Hydrothermal Metamorphic Environments
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality and size
Where rockhounds find liveingite
Classic worldwide localities
- Binnental, Switzerland
- Lengenbach Quarry, Switzerland
Field-hunting tip
Look in dolomitic marble in hydrothermal metamorphic environments country, the host setting where liveingite typically forms. If you start seeing sartorite, realgar, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular to prismatic crystals, often heavily striated habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify liveingite?+
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How much is liveingite worth?+
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Find liveingite on the map
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