Löllingite is an iron-arsenic mineral often appearing as silver-white to steel-gray prismatic crystals or dense granular masses. It is frequently associated with other arsenic minerals in high-temperature hydrothermal veins and is notoriously difficult to distinguish from arsenopyrite without analytical testing. Due to its arsenic content, collectors should always exercise proper hygiene after handling.
Is this löllingite?
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 löllingite with a known reference. Löllingite sits at Mohs 5.5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Löllingite leaves a gray-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Löllingite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white, steel-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic, granular, or massive.
Often confused with
Löllingite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Löllingite leaves gray-black, Arsenopyrite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Löllingite leaves gray-black, Safflorite leaves grayish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Löllingite leaves gray-black, Skutterudite leaves black.
Often found alongside löllingite
Minerals reported to co-occur with löllingite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeAs₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 7.4 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray-black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, Granular, Or Massive
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {101}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Arsenic
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Skarns, And Metamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- $10-150 per specimen depending on size and crystal quality
Where rockhounds find löllingite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lölling, Austria
- Broken Hill, Australia
- Franklin, New Jersey, USA
- Kongsberg, Norway
- Guanajuato, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, skarns, and metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where löllingite typically forms. If you start seeing arsenopyrite, siderite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic, granular, or massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify löllingite?+
Where is löllingite found?+
How much is löllingite worth?+
Is löllingite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like löllingite?+
What minerals are found with löllingite?+
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Find löllingite on the map
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