Luanheite is a rare silver-mercury amalgam found typically as small, dull, silver-white grains in placer deposits. It is chemically unstable under high heat and requires careful storage to avoid mercury sublimation. Collectors primarily encounter it as micro-specimens associated with native silver or gold.

Hardness

~2.5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Luanheite

Hardness: ~2.5
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

Is this luanheite?

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 luanheite with a known reference. Luanheite sits at Mohs ~2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: gray white, black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: granular, tabular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Silver

Mohs 2.5-3

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Luanheite leaves black, Silver leaves silver-white.

Compare →

Often found alongside luanheite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ag₃Hg
Mohs hardness: ~2.5
Density: 12.5 g/cm³
Colors: Gray white Black
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Granular, tabular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In a placer containing gold and other elements

Where rockhounds find luanheite

Classic worldwide localities

Luanhe River, Chengde Co.,Hebei Province, China (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In a placer containing gold and other elements. If you start seeing gold, lead, zinc in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify luanheite?+

Mohs hardness is ~2.5. Luster: metallic. The streak is black. Common colors include gray white, black.

Where is luanheite found?+

Notable localities include Luanhe River, Chengde Co.,Hebei Province, China (type locality).

Is luanheite safe to handle?+

Luanheite contains mercury and calls for real care. Contains mercury; handle with extreme caution, avoid ingestion or inhalation of dust, and wash hands thoroughly after handling.

What rocks look like luanheite?+

Luanheite is most often confused with Silver. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with luanheite?+

Luanheite commonly co-occurs with Gold, Lead, Zinc, Mercurian silver, Silicates. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does luanheite form in?+

Where it forms: In a placer containing gold and other elements. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is luanheite used for?+

Luanheite is used in collector.

Find luanheite on the map

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