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 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Mawsonite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Mawsonite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange, reddish-orange, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: massive, anhedral grains, interstitial.
Often confused with
Mawsonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
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
- Density
- 4.56 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Anhedral Grains, Interstitial
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Copper-tin Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 for small micro-mounts or rare specimen fragments
Where rockhounds find mawsonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mawson mine, Australia
- Chuquicamata mine, Chile
- Bor-Undur, Mongolia
- Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal copper-tin deposits country — that is the host setting where mawsonite typically forms. If you start seeing bornite, chalcopyrite, stannite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, anhedral grains, interstitial habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify mawsonite?+
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Find mawsonite on the map
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