Oenite is a rare cobalt antimony arsenide, typically silver-white. It occurs in cu-Co-bearing skarns. It was first described from Tunaberg, Bergslagen metallic province, Sweden.

Hardness

5-5.5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Gray

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Oenite

Oenite is a rare cobalt antimony arsenide, typically silver-white. It occurs in cu-Co-bearing skarns. It was first described from Tunaberg, Bergslagen metallic province, Sweden.

Hardness: 5-5.5
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Gray
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this oenite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch oenite with a known reference. Oenite sits at Mohs 5-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: silver white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic crystals.

Often confused with

Oenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Sperrylite

Mohs 6-7

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Oenite leaves gray, Sperrylite leaves black.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Oenite leaves gray, Geversite leaves black.

Compare →

Often found alongside oenite

Minerals reported to co-occur with oenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: CoSbAs
Mohs hardness: 5-5.5
Density: 7.92 g/cm³
Colors: Silver white
Streak: Gray
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Anhedral grains, microscopic crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In Cu–Co-bearing skarns

Where rockhounds find oenite

Classic worldwide localities

Tunaberg, Bergslagen metallic province, Sweden (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In Cu–Co-bearing skarns. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, bismuth, dyscrasite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify oenite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-5.5. Luster: metallic. The streak is gray. Common colors include silver white.

Where is oenite found?+

Notable localities include Tunaberg, Bergslagen metallic province, Sweden (type locality).

Is oenite safe to handle?+

Oenite contains antimony, arsenic and cobalt and calls for real care. Contains antimony, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust; handle with caution and wash hands thoroughly after contact.

What rocks look like oenite?+

Oenite is most often confused with Sperrylite, Geversite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with oenite?+

Oenite commonly co-occurs with Chalcopyrite, Bismuth, Dyscrasite, Allargentum, Breithauptite, Nisbite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does oenite form in?+

Where it forms: In Cu–Co-bearing skarns. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is oenite used for?+

Oenite is used in collector.

Find oenite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.