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. Streak: brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: grayish black, brownish red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular, plumose.
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 brown, Jamesonite leaves black. grayish.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Moëloite leaves brown, Boulangerite leaves brownish.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Moëloite leaves brown, 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(S₃)
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 5.86 g/cm³
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, plumose
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A hydrothermal mineral associated with metamorphism, in small cavities in marble
Where rockhounds find moëloite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ceragiola marble quarry, near Seravezza, Tuscany, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A hydrothermal mineral associated with metamorphism, in small cavities in marble. If you start seeing sulfur, pyrite, enargite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, plumose. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify moëloite?+
Where is moëloite found?+
Is moëloite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like moëloite?+
What minerals are found with moëloite?+
What kind of rock does moëloite form in?+
What is moëloite used for?+
Find moëloite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
