Plagionite is a rare lead-antimony sulfosalt known for its distinct thick, tabular, pseudo-hexagonal crystals. It is typically found in low-temperature hydrothermal veins and is highly prized by collectors of rare sulfide minerals for its metallic luster and complex crystal geometry.
Is this plagionite?
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 plagionite with a known reference. Plagionite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Plagionite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Plagionite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: thick tabular crystals often in groups or rosettes.
Often confused with
Plagionite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Plagionite leaves black, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Plagionite leaves black, Boulangerite leaves brownish-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Plagionite leaves black, Fülöppite leaves gray-black.
Often found alongside plagionite
Minerals reported to co-occur with plagionite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₅Sb₈S₁₇
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 5.4-5.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Thick Tabular Crystals Often in Groups or Rosettes
- Cleavage
- Imperfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Sulfide Veins
- Typical price
- $20-200 depending on specimen size and clarity
Where rockhounds find plagionite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wolfsberg, Germany
- Oruro, Bolivia
- Trepča, Kosovo
- Hiendelaencina, Spain
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal sulfide veins country, the host setting where plagionite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, siderite, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a thick tabular crystals often in groups or rosettes habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find plagionite on the map
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