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 — that is 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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