Proudite is a rare copper-lead-bismuth sulfosalt that typically occurs as slender, acicular crystals or fibrous aggregates. It is most commonly found in high-temperature hydrothermal quartz veins associated with other bismuth-bearing minerals.
Is this proudite?
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 proudite with a known reference. Proudite 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. Proudite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Proudite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, fibrous, massive.
Often confused with
Proudite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Proudite leaves black, Bismuthinite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Proudite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Proudite leaves black, Aikinite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside proudite
Minerals reported to co-occur with proudite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₄Pb₈Bi₂₀S₃₈
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 6.12 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Fibrous, Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Quartz Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find proudite
Classic worldwide localities
- Proud's mine, Australia
- Wolfram Camp, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal quartz veins country — that is the host setting where proudite typically forms. If you start seeing bismuthinite, galena, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, fibrous, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find proudite on the map
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