Möhnite is a very rare lead-sulfate-selenite mineral typically found in complex hydrothermal base metal deposits. It is best identified by its metallic luster and association with other lead minerals in its type locality of Kutná Hora. Because it is rarely found in significant quantity, it is primarily a target for specialized mineral collectors.
Is this möhnite?
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 möhnite with a known reference. Möhnite sits at Mohs 3-3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Möhnite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Möhnite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel-gray, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Möhnite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Möhnite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Möhnite leaves black, Anglesite leaves white; luster reads metallic on Möhnite and adamantine on Anglesite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Möhnite leaves black, Lanarkite leaves white; luster reads metallic on Möhnite and adamantine on Lanarkite.
Often found alongside möhnite
Minerals reported to co-occur with möhnite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₃SO₄SeO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 7.3-7.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Polymetallic Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find möhnite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kutná Hora, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal polymetallic veins country — that is the host setting where möhnite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, cerussite, anglesite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find möhnite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
