Meneghinite is a rare sulfosalt mineral recognized by its distinctively lead-gray to black metallic luster and acicular or fibrous crystal habit. It is typically found in hydrothermal vein systems and is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors for its complex lead-copper-antimony chemistry.
Is this meneghinite?
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 meneghinite with a known reference. Meneghinite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Meneghinite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Meneghinite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, fibrous, massive.
Often confused with
Meneghinite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Meneghinite leaves black, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Meneghinite leaves black, Boulangerite leaves brownish-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Meneghinite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside meneghinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with meneghinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuPb₁₃Sb₇S₂₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 6.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Fibrous, Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Reference Material
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $20-200 per specimen
Where rockhounds find meneghinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bottino Mine, Italy
- Ontario, Canada
- Zacatecas, Mexico
- Brissago, Switzerland
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where meneghinite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, pyrite, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, fibrous, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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How much is meneghinite worth?+
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Find meneghinite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
