Parasterryite is a rare sulfosalt mineral found primarily in hydrothermal vein deposits. It is best identified by its metallic, lead-gray acicular crystal habit and its association with other complex lead-antimony sulfides.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareLillianite Homologous Series family

Parasterryite

Hardness: 3-4
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this parasterryite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch parasterryite with a known reference. Parasterryite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular to prismatic crystals.

Often confused with

Parasterryite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Parasterryite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Parasterryite leaves black, Jamesonite leaves black. grayish.

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Often found alongside parasterryite

Minerals reported to co-occur with parasterryite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ag₄Pb₂₀(Sb,As)₂₄S₅₈
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 5.747 g/cm³
Colors: Black
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Acicular to prismatic crystals
Cleavage: Poor perpendicular to elongation
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In vugs within hydrothermal barite–quartz veins embedded in barite-pyrite lenses in complexly sheared and metamorphosed sedimentary rocks

Where rockhounds find parasterryite

Classic worldwide localities

Pollone deposit,Valdicastello Carducci, near Pietrasanta, Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In vugs within hydrothermal barite–quartz veins embedded in barite-pyrite lenses in complexly sheared and metamorphosed sedimentary rocks. If you start seeing acanthite, famatinite, geocronite-jordanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular to prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify parasterryite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. Luster: metallic. The streak is black. Common colors include black.

Where is parasterryite found?+

Notable localities include Pollone deposit,Valdicastello Carducci, near Pietrasanta, Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy.

Is parasterryite safe to handle?+

Parasterryite contains antimony, arsenic and lead and calls for real care. Contains lead and antimony; wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid inhaling dust during preparation or cleaning.

What rocks look like parasterryite?+

Parasterryite is most often confused with Lillianite, Galena, Jamesonite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with parasterryite?+

Parasterryite commonly co-occurs with Acanthite, Famatinite, Geocronite-jordanite, Pyrargyrite-prustite, Sb-rich rathite, Sphalerite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does parasterryite form in?+

Where it forms: In vugs within hydrothermal barite–quartz veins embedded in barite-pyrite lenses in complexly sheared and metamorphosed sedimentary rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is parasterryite used for?+

Parasterryite is used in collector.

Find parasterryite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.