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. Pavonite leaves a grey-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pavonite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, lead-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: lamellar or tabular crystals, 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 — Pavonite leaves grey-black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Pavonite leaves grey-black, Molybdenite leaves greenish-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Pavonite leaves grey-black, Schapbachite leaves black.
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
- Ag₃Bi₃S₆
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 6.71 g/cm³
- Streak
- Grey-black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Lamellar or Tabular Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find pavonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bolivia
- USA
- Sweden
- Romania
- Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where pavonite typically forms. If you start seeing bismuthinite, galena, tetrahedrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a lamellar or tabular crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify pavonite?+
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How much is pavonite worth?+
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Find pavonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
