Parapierrotite is an extremely rare thallium antimony sulfosalt mineral found almost exclusively in the Allchar deposit in North Macedonia. It typically forms fine, needle-like acicular crystals or small radial clusters associated with other rare thallium minerals like lorándite and pierrotite.
Is this parapierrotite?
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 parapierrotite with a known reference. Parapierrotite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Parapierrotite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Parapierrotite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark gray, lead gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular or prismatic crystals, often as radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Parapierrotite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside parapierrotite
Minerals reported to co-occur with parapierrotite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- TlSb₅S₈
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 4.74 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or Prismatic Crystals, Often as Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Mineral Deposits, Specifically in Thallium-rich Carbonate Rocks
- Typical price
- $100-500 per specimen depending on size and association
Where rockhounds find parapierrotite
Classic worldwide localities
- Allchar, North Macedonia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal mineral deposits, specifically in thallium-rich carbonate rocks country — that is the host setting where parapierrotite typically forms. If you start seeing stibnite, realgar, orpiment in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or prismatic crystals, often as radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find parapierrotite on the map
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