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 — Nordströmite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Nordströmite leaves black, Bismuthinite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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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