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. Paraschachnerite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Paraschachnerite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains, interstitial fillings.
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
- 12.8-13.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Interstitial Fillings
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Mercury Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 thumbnail size
Where rockhounds find paraschachnerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Rudolphschacht, Tyrol, Austria
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal mercury deposits country, the host setting where paraschachnerite typically forms. If you start seeing schachnerite, moschellandsbergite, cinnabar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, interstitial fillings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify paraschachnerite?+
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Find paraschachnerite on the map
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