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, 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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