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 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: semimetallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic.
Often confused with
Parapierrotite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Parapierrotite leaves gray, Stibnite leaves lead-gray; luster reads semimetallic on Parapierrotite and metallic, splendent on cleavage surfaces on Stibnite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Parapierrotite leaves gray, Pierrotite leaves reddish black; luster reads semimetallic on Parapierrotite and metallic, lively on Pierrotite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Parapierrotite leaves gray, Bournonite leaves steel-gray to iron-black; luster reads semimetallic on Parapierrotite and brilliant to dull on Bournonite.
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
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 5.07 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Semimetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Of hydrothermal origin, in cavities in realgar (Alšar, Macedonia)
Where rockhounds find parapierrotite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lookout Pass, Tooele Co., Utah, USA
- Alšar (Allchar), near Rošden, Macedonia (type locality)
- Jas Roux deposit, 10 km east of Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar, Hautes-Alpes, France
- Hemlo gold deposit, Thunder Bay district, Ontario, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Of hydrothermal origin, in cavities in realgar (Alšar, Macedonia). If you start seeing realgar, avicennite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify parapierrotite?+
Where is parapierrotite found?+
Is parapierrotite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like parapierrotite?+
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Find parapierrotite on the map
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