Pillaite is a rare lead antimony sulfosalt chloride known primarily from the historic mining district of Laurium. It typically forms delicate, needle-like or hair-like crystals found within the cavities of oxidized ore deposits.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrarePb-Sb-Bi sulfosalt group family

Pillaite

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

Is this pillaite?

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 pillaite with a known reference. Pillaite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pillaite leaves a black streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Pillaite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: lead-gray, black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular to hair-like crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Jamesonite

Mohs 2.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Pillaite leaves black, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Pillaite leaves black, Boulangerite leaves brownish-gray.

Often found alongside pillaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Pb₉Sb₁₀S₂₃Cl₂
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 6.12 g/cm³
Colors: Lead-gray Black
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Acicular to Hair-like Crystals
Cleavage: None Observed
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Veins in Slag/limestone Contact Zones
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find pillaite

Classic worldwide localities

Laurium, Greece

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal veins in slag/limestone contact zones country — that is the host setting where pillaite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, sphalerite, anglesite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular to hair-like crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify pillaite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is black. Common colors include lead-gray, black.

Where is pillaite found?+

Notable localities include Laurium, Greece.

How much is pillaite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is pillaite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains lead and antimony. Handle with care, avoid inhalation of dust, and wash hands thoroughly after handling. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like pillaite?+

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

What minerals are found with pillaite?+

Pillaite commonly co-occurs with Galena, Sphalerite, Anglesite, Cerussite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does pillaite form in?+

Pillaite typically forms in hydrothermal veins in slag/limestone contact zones. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is pillaite used for?+

Pillaite is used in collector.

Find pillaite on the map

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