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 — Plagionite leaves black, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Plagionite leaves black, Boulangerite leaves brownish-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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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