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. Streak: brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed.
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)₂Pb₂₁Sb₂₃S₅₅ClO
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 5.97 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed
- Cleavage
- Good on {201̄}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Formed by high chlorinity hydrothermal fluids in cavities and vugs in calcite veins that cut a Ba-Fe deposit, as well as, the enclosing greenschist facies phyllite and dolomitic limestone
Where rockhounds find pellouxite
Classic worldwide localities
- Buca della Vena mine, near Ponte Stazzemese, Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Formed by high chlorinity hydrothermal fluids in cavities and vugs in calcite veins that cut a Ba-Fe deposit, as well as, the enclosing greenschist facies phyllite and dolomitic limestone. If you start seeing zinkenite, boulangerite, robinsonite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: bladed. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify pellouxite?+
Where is pellouxite found?+
Is pellouxite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like pellouxite?+
What minerals are found with pellouxite?+
What kind of rock does pellouxite form in?+
What is pellouxite used for?+
Find pellouxite on the map
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