Omariniite is a rare sulfosalt mineral primarily found in polymetallic hydrothermal deposits. Collectors look for its characteristic dark, metallic, tabular crystals that often appear in associations with common sulfides like galena.
Is this omariniite?
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 omariniite with a known reference. Omariniite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Omariniite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Omariniite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Omariniite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Omariniite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs — Omariniite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Omariniite leaves black, Bournonite leaves steel-gray.
How to tell apart: Omariniite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2-2.5).
Often found alongside omariniite
Minerals reported to co-occur with omariniite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₃Pb₄Sb₃S₁₀
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 5.0-5.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find omariniite
Classic worldwide localities
- Argentina
- Bolivia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where omariniite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, sphalerite, pyrite 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
How do you identify omariniite?+
Where is omariniite found?+
How much is omariniite worth?+
Is omariniite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like omariniite?+
What minerals are found with omariniite?+
What kind of rock does omariniite form in?+
What is omariniite used for?+
Find omariniite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
