Pyrargyrite is a high-grade silver sulfosalt that is prized by collectors for its deep, blood-red internal reflections when viewed under bright light. It typically forms as prismatic to tabular crystals in hydrothermal vein deposits and is often associated with other silver minerals. Because it is light-sensitive and can darken over time with prolonged exposure, it should be stored in a dark environment.
Is this pyrargyrite?
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 pyrargyrite with a known reference. Pyrargyrite 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. Pyrargyrite leaves a red streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pyrargyrite typically shows a metallic to adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark red, grayish red, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive, disseminated grains.
Often confused with
Pyrargyrite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Pyrargyrite leaves red, Proustite leaves scarlet; luster reads metallic to adamantine on Pyrargyrite and adamantine on Proustite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Pyrargyrite leaves red, Cinnabar leaves scarlet; luster reads metallic to adamantine on Pyrargyrite and adamantine on Cinnabar.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Pyrargyrite leaves red, Tetrahedrite leaves black; luster reads metallic to adamantine on Pyrargyrite and metallic on Tetrahedrite.
Often found alongside pyrargyrite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pyrargyrite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₃SbS₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 5.85 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Red
- Luster
- Metallic to Adamantine
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive, Disseminated Grains
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {10-14}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Minor Silver Ore
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail, $200-1000+ cabinet
Where rockhounds find pyrargyrite
2 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Guanajuato, Mexico
- Freiberg, Germany
- Chanarcillo, Chile
- Cobalt, Ontario, Canada
- Pribram, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where pyrargyrite typically forms. If you start seeing silver, galena, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive, disseminated grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Idaho, New Mexico — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find pyrargyrite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
