Paradocrasite is a rare antimonide-arsenide mineral that typically forms as small, metallic inclusions within hydrothermal veins. Because it is chemically similar to stibarsen and pure arsenic, identification often requires analytical methods like X-ray diffraction or electron microprobe analysis.
Is this paradocrasite?
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 paradocrasite with a known reference. Paradocrasite 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. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, twinning common.
Often confused with
Paradocrasite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Paradocrasite leaves black, Stibarsen leaves gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Paradocrasite leaves black, Arsenic leaves tin-white; luster reads metallic on Paradocrasite and nearly metallic on Arsenic.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Paradocrasite leaves black, Antimony leaves gray.
Often found alongside paradocrasite
Minerals reported to co-occur with paradocrasite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Sb₂As
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 6.52 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, twinning common
- Cleavage
- Parting {010} perfect, several others less perfect, paralleling the twinning composition planes
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Replacing calcite (Broken Hill, Australia)
Where rockhounds find paradocrasite
Classic worldwide localities
- Consols mine, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia (type locality)
- Atlin, British Columbia, Canada
- Moctezuma (Bambolla) mine, 12 km south of Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico
- Szklary serpentinite massif, southwest Poland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Replacing calcite (Broken Hill, Australia). If you start seeing antimonian löllingite, stibarsen, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, twinning common. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify paradocrasite?+
Where is paradocrasite found?+
Is paradocrasite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like paradocrasite?+
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Find paradocrasite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
