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, so Moëloite leaves black, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Moëloite leaves black, Boulangerite leaves brownish-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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.
