Paraschachnerite is an extremely rare silver-mercury amalgam found in association with other mercury-rich minerals. It typically occurs as microscopic anhedral grains or small masses embedded in a matrix of calcite or cinnabar from specific mercury mine localities.
Is this paraschachnerite?
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 paraschachnerite with a known reference. Paraschachnerite 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: metallic.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: tin white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: twinning common.
Often confused with
Paraschachnerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside paraschachnerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with paraschachnerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₃Hg₂
- Mohs hardness
- >3.5
- Density
- 12.98 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Metallic
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Twinning common
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Formed in the oxidized zone by the alteration of moschellandsbergite (Landsberg, Germany); thought to be a primary mineral (Kremikovci deposit, Bulgaria)
Where rockhounds find paraschachnerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Vertraun auf Gott mercury mine, at Landsberg, near Obermoschel, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany (type locality)
- Kremikovci deposit, Sofia district, Bulgaria
- Sala, Västmanland, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Formed in the oxidized zone by the alteration of moschellandsbergite (Landsberg, Germany); thought to be a primary mineral (Kremikovci deposit, Bulgaria). If you start seeing schachnerite, mercurian silver, acanthite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: twinning common. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify paraschachnerite?+
Where is paraschachnerite found?+
Is paraschachnerite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like paraschachnerite?+
What minerals are found with paraschachnerite?+
What kind of rock does paraschachnerite form in?+
What is paraschachnerite used for?+
Find paraschachnerite on the map
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