Pavonite is a rare sulfosalt mineral typically found as small, lead-grey metallic blades or lamellar masses within hydrothermal ore deposits. It is best identified by its association with other bismuth and silver sulfides and requires laboratory analysis for definitive identification due to its similarity to other metallic grey sulfosalts.
Is this pavonite?
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 pavonite with a known reference. Pavonite 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. Streak: lead gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead gray, tin white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed, massive.
Often confused with
Pavonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Pavonite leaves lead gray, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Pavonite leaves lead gray, Molybdenite leaves bluish gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Pavonite leaves lead gray, Matildite leaves pale gray.
Often found alongside pavonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pavonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- AgBi₃S₅
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 6.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Lead gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed, massive
- Cleavage
- Indistinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In hydrothermal base-metal sulfide vein deposits
Where rockhounds find pavonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Silver Bell mine, Red Mountain, Ouray Co., Colorado, USA
- Old Lout, Gladiator, and Alaska mines, Poughkeepsie Gulch, near Ouray, San Juan Co., USA
- Manhattan, and from the Outlaw mine, Round Mountain district, Nye Co., and Pioche, Lincoln Co., Nevada, USA
- Apache Hills mine, southeast of Hachita, Grant Co., New Mexico, USA
- Porvenir (type locality) and Bolivar mines, Cerro Bonete, about 75 km south-southwest of Esmoraca, Potosí, Bolivia
- Pirquitas deposit, Riconada Department, Jujuy Province, Argentina
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In hydrothermal base-metal sulfide vein deposits. If you start seeing cupropavonite, bismuthinite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: bladed, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify pavonite?+
Where is pavonite found?+
Is pavonite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like pavonite?+
What minerals are found with pavonite?+
What kind of rock does pavonite form in?+
What is pavonite used for?+
Find pavonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
