Pizgrischite is an extremely rare lead-copper-bismuth sulfosalt named after its type locality at Piz Grisch in the Swiss Alps. It typically occurs as microscopic anhedral grains associated with other sulfide minerals in metamorphosed carbonate rocks. Due to its scarcity, it is almost exclusively sought after by advanced systematic mineral collectors.
Is this pizgrischite?
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 pizgrischite with a known reference. Pizgrischite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: grayish black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular, prismatic, striated.
Often confused with
Pizgrischite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Pizgrischite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5-2.75); streak differs, so Pizgrischite leaves grayish black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Pizgrischite leaves grayish black, Cosalite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Pizgrischite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. ~2); streak differs, so Pizgrischite leaves grayish black, Cannizzarite leaves black.
Often found alongside pizgrischite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pizgrischite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Cu,Fe)Cu₁₄PbBi₁₇S₃₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 6.58 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Grayish black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, prismatic, striated
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}; very good on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Formed as the result of the Alpine metamorphism under greenschist-facies conditions of pre-Tertiary hydrothermal Cu-Bi mineralization
Where rockhounds find pizgrischite
Classic worldwide localities
- Piz Grisch Mountain, Val Ferrera, Graubünden, Switzerland (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Formed as the result of the Alpine metamorphism under greenschist-facies conditions of pre-Tertiary hydrothermal Cu-Bi mineralization. If you start seeing galena, chalcopyrite, dolomite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, prismatic, striated. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify pizgrischite?+
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What rocks look like pizgrischite?+
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Find pizgrischite on the map
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