Nordströmite is a rare lead-bismuth sulfosalt belonging to the lillianite homologous series. It typically occurs as lead-gray acicular crystals found within hydrothermal sulfide deposits, most notably in Swedish mining districts.
Is this nordströmite?
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 nordströmite with a known reference. Nordströmite sits at Mohs 2-2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous.
Often confused with
Nordströmite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nordströmite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nordströmite leaves black, Bismuthinite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nordströmite leaves black, Aikinite leaves grayish black.
Often found alongside nordströmite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nordströmite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₃CuPb(Bi,Pb)₆Se₉S₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 7.12 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque, presumably
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous
- Cleavage
- Good, parallel to crystal elongation
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Of hydrothermal origin
Where rockhounds find nordströmite
Classic worldwide localities
- Johnny Lyon Hills, north of Benson, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
- Falun, Kopparberg, Sweden (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Of hydrothermal origin. If you start seeing wittite, friedrichite, bismuthinite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: fibrous. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find nordströmite on the map
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