Mawsonite is a rare copper-iron-tin sulfide that typically occurs as anhedral grains within copper ore deposits. It is best identified through polished section microscopy where it displays distinct color shifts and internal reflections, distinguishing it from common minerals like bornite.
Is this mawsonite?
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 mawsonite with a known reference. Mawsonite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown orange, bronze.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: inclusions, microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Mawsonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Mawsonite leaves black, Bornite leaves pale grayish black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Mawsonite leaves black, Stannite leaves blackish.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Mawsonite leaves black, Chalcopyrite leaves greenish black.
Often found alongside mawsonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with mawsonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₆Fe₂SnS₈
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 4.66 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Inclusions, microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- Two imperfect at right angles suggested by fractures during hardness tests
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- In massive to disseminated hydrothermal copper ores within highly altered volcanic rocks; in skarns; disseminated in altered granites; rare in copper porphyry deposits
Where rockhounds find mawsonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
- North Lyell (type locality) and Crown Lyell mines, Mt. Lyell district, Queenstown, Tasmania, Australia
- Royal George mine, near Tingha, New England district (type locality), New South Wales, Australia
- Vila Apacheta, Bolivia
- Colquijirca mine, Junín, Peru
- New Brunswick Tin Mines deposit, New Brunswick, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In massive to disseminated hydrothermal copper ores within highly altered volcanic rocks; in skarns; disseminated in altered granites; rare in copper porphyry deposits. If you start seeing bornite, pyrite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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What rocks look like mawsonite?+
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Find mawsonite on the map
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