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 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nordströmite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nordströmite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, steel-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular to prismatic crystals, often as fine-grained aggregates.
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 lead-gray.
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
- 2.5
- Density
- 7.35 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular to Prismatic Crystals, Often as Fine-grained Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Sulfide Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find nordströmite
Classic worldwide localities
- Falun, Sweden
- Gladhammar, Sweden
- Boliden, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal sulfide veins country, the host setting where nordströmite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, bismuthinite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular to prismatic crystals, often as fine-grained aggregates habit, so 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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