Pellouxite is a very rare lead-copper-antimony sulfide mineral typically occurring as delicate, fibrous, or acicular black clusters. It is known primarily from the Pollone mine in Italy, where it forms in hydrothermal environments associated with lead-zinc mineralization. Due to its scarcity and fragile nature, it is highly sought after by mineral micromount collectors.
Is this pellouxite?
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 pellouxite with a known reference. Pellouxite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pellouxite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pellouxite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous aggregates, acicular crystals.
Often confused with
Pellouxite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside pellouxite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pellouxite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Cu,Ag)₂Pb₂Sb₂S₆
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 5.52 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous Aggregates, Acicular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $100-500 thumbnail size
Where rockhounds find pellouxite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pollone Mine, Tuscany, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where pellouxite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, sphalerite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous aggregates, acicular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find pellouxite on the map
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