Luzonite is a rare copper arsenic sulfide that is dimorphous with enargite, typically forming as fine-grained, massive aggregates in epithermal deposits. It is best identified by its distinct pinkish-brown to reddish-brown tint compared to the grayer shades of enargite, often found intergrown with it in hydrothermal ores.
Is this luzonite?
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 luzonite with a known reference. Luzonite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Luzonite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luzonite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pinkish-brown, reddish-brown, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: massive, granular, or fine-grained aggregates.
Often confused with
Luzonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside luzonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with luzonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₃AsS₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.4-4.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or Fine-grained Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {110}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Copper
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Epithermal Copper-gold Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-80 per specimen depending on size and association
Where rockhounds find luzonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chinkuashih mine, Taiwan
- Lepanto mine, Philippines
- Bor, Serbia
- Butte, Montana, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, epithermal copper-gold deposits country — that is the host setting where luzonite typically forms. If you start seeing enargite, pyrite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or fine-grained aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify luzonite?+
Where is luzonite found?+
How much is luzonite worth?+
Is luzonite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like luzonite?+
What minerals are found with luzonite?+
What kind of rock does luzonite form in?+
What is luzonite used for?+
Find luzonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
