Pääkkönenite is a rare antimony arsenic sulfide mineral originally discovered in the Seinäjoki antimony deposits of Finland. It typically forms metallic, gray, acicular crystals or fibrous aggregates that are visually similar to stibnite but distinguishable by its distinct composition and crystal system.
Is this pääkkönenite?
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 pääkkönenite with a known reference. Pääkkönenite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pääkkönenite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pääkkönenite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, silver-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular to prismatic crystals, often as fibrous or radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Pääkkönenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside pääkkönenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pääkkönenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Sb₂AsS₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 6.83 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular to Prismatic Crystals, Often as Fibrous or Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Antimony-arsenic Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find pääkkönenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Seinäjoki, Finland
- Hemerdon Mine, England
- Broken Hill, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal antimony-arsenic deposits country — that is the host setting where pääkkönenite typically forms. If you start seeing stibnite, arsenopyrite, löllingite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular to prismatic crystals, often as fibrous or radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify pääkkönenite?+
Where is pääkkönenite found?+
How much is pääkkönenite worth?+
Is pääkkönenite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like pääkkönenite?+
What minerals are found with pääkkönenite?+
What kind of rock does pääkkönenite form in?+
What is pääkkönenite used for?+
Find pääkkönenite on the map
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