Moëloite is a rare lead-antimony sulfosalt mineral typically found in complex hydrothermal veins. It usually occurs as thin, metallic-gray tabular crystals that can be difficult to distinguish from other lead-sulfosalts without precise chemical analysis.
Is this moëloite?
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 moëloite with a known reference. Moëloite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Moëloite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Moëloite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, tin-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, thin plates, striated.
Often confused with
Moëloite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Moëloite leaves black, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Moëloite leaves black, Boulangerite leaves brownish-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Moëloite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside moëloite
Minerals reported to co-occur with moëloite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₆Sb₆S₁₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 6.5-6.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Thin Plates, Striated
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Sulfide Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find moëloite
Classic worldwide localities
- Moëlo, Brittany, France
- Wolfsberg, Germany
- Sala, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal sulfide veins country — that is the host setting where moëloite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, siderite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, thin plates, striated habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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How much is moëloite worth?+
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Find moëloite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
