Poubaite is a rare lead-bismuth selenide mineral often found in hydrothermal mineral deposits. It typically occurs as small, metallic-gray platy crystals or as microscopic inclusions within other sulfide minerals.
Is this poubaite?
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 poubaite with a known reference. Poubaite 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. Poubaite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Poubaite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, steel-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, fine-grained aggregates.
Often confused with
Poubaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside poubaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with poubaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbBi₂Se₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 7.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Fine-grained Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find poubaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pobershau, Saxony, Germany
- Tui Mine, New Zealand
- Kutná Hora, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where poubaite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, clausthalite, bismuthinite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, fine-grained aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find poubaite on the map
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