Ottemannite is a rare tin sulfide mineral typically occurring as small, vibrant yellow to orange-yellow tabular crystals. It is most frequently found in hydrothermal vein systems associated with other tin minerals like stannite and cassiterite. Collectors should look for these bright, resinous crystals within sulfide-rich mineral assemblages in tin-bearing deposits.
Is this ottemannite?
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 ottemannite with a known reference. Ottemannite sits at Mohs 1.5-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ottemannite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ottemannite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, orange-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates.
Often confused with
Ottemannite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Greenockite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs — Ottemannite leaves yellow, Greenockite leaves brick-red to orange-yellow; luster reads resinous on Ottemannite and adamantine to resinous on Greenockite.
How to tell apart: Stannite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs — Ottemannite leaves yellow, Stannite leaves black; luster reads resinous on Ottemannite and metallic on Stannite.
Often found alongside ottemannite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ottemannite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Sn₂S₃
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 4.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Reference Material
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Tin-sulfide Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find ottemannite
Classic worldwide localities
- Putina, Peru
- Huari, Bolivia
- Tornio, Finland
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal tin-sulfide veins country — that is the host setting where ottemannite typically forms. If you start seeing stannite, pyrite, cassiterite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find ottemannite on the map
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