Polybasite is a complex silver sulfosalt that often forms distinct pseudo-hexagonal tabular crystals. It is primarily found in silver-rich epithermal veins and is a key indicator mineral for high-grade silver deposits.
Is this polybasite?
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 polybasite with a known reference. Polybasite 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. Polybasite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Polybasite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, iron-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular hexagonal-like plates, pseudo-hexagonal prisms, or massive.
Often confused with
Polybasite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside polybasite
Minerals reported to co-occur with polybasite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ag,Cu)₁₆Sb₂S₁₁
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 6.0-6.2 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Hexagonal-like Plates, Pseudo-hexagonal Prisms, Or Massive
- Cleavage
- Imperfect On Basal Plane
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Epithermal Silver-bearing Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $20-150 for thumbnail to small cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find polybasite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Guanajuato, Mexico
- Freiberg, Germany
- Pachuca, Mexico
- Comstock Lode, USA
- Jachymov, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in epithermal silver-bearing hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where polybasite typically forms. If you start seeing silver, stephanite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular hexagonal-like plates, pseudo-hexagonal prisms, or massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Montana — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify polybasite?+
Where is polybasite found?+
Can I find polybasite in the United States?+
How much is polybasite worth?+
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Find polybasite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
