Příbramite is a very rare copper antimony selenide mineral originally described from the famous silver mining district of Příbram, Czech Republic. It typically occurs as small, metallic grains associated with other selenides and sulfides in hydrothermal vein systems. Collectors value it for its extreme rarity and specific occurrence within historical mining locales.
Is this příbramite?
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 příbramite with a known reference. Příbramite sits at Mohs 3-3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Příbramite leaves a grey streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Příbramite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or fine-grained aggregates.
Often confused with
Příbramite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Příbramite leaves grey, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Příbramite leaves grey, Clausthalite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Příbramite leaves grey, Tetrahedrite leaves black.
Often found alongside příbramite
Minerals reported to co-occur with příbramite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuSbSe₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 6.14 g/cm³
- Streak
- Grey
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or Fine-grained Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $100-500+ per specimen depending on size and rarity
Where rockhounds find příbramite
Classic worldwide localities
- Příbram, Czech Republic
- Skouriotissa, Cyprus
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where příbramite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, clausthalite, ullmannite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or fine-grained aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify příbramite?+
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Find příbramite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
