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 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: euhedral crystals, lath.
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
- PbBi₂(Se,Te,S)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 7.85 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Euhedral crystals, lath
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In hydrothermal dolomite-calcite veins in the western contact of the Bor granite massif
Where rockhounds find poubaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Oldřichov, near Tachov, Czech Republic (type locality)
- Otish Mountains uranium deposit, Elliot Lake district, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In hydrothermal dolomite-calcite veins in the western contact of the Bor granite massif. If you start seeing selenian rucklidgeite, součekite, wittichenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: euhedral crystals, lath. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify poubaite?+
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Find poubaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
