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, so Löllingite leaves gray-black, Arsenopyrite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Löllingite leaves gray-black, Safflorite leaves grayish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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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