Pyrostilpnite is a rare silver sulfosalt that forms striking, thin, lath-like crystals with an intense orange-red color. It is a dimorph of pyrargyrite and is best identified by its distinct platy habit and metallic-to-adamantine luster in hydrothermal vein environments.
Is this pyrostilpnite?
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 pyrostilpnite with a known reference. Pyrostilpnite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pyrostilpnite leaves a orange-yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pyrostilpnite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: hyacinth-red, orange-red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy or lath-like crystals, often in radiating clusters.
Often confused with
Pyrostilpnite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Pyrostilpnite leaves orange-yellow, Pyrargyrite leaves red; luster reads adamantine on Pyrostilpnite and metallic to adamantine on Pyrargyrite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Pyrostilpnite leaves orange-yellow, Proustite leaves scarlet.
Often found alongside pyrostilpnite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pyrostilpnite. 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
- Density
- 5.9-6.0 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Orange-yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy or Lath-like Crystals, Often in Radiating Clusters
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Low-temperature Hydrothermal Silver Veins
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail specimen depending on crystal size and provenance
Where rockhounds find pyrostilpnite
Classic worldwide localities
- Freiberg, Saxony, Germany
- Andreasberg, Harz Mountains, Germany
- Příbram, Czech Republic
- Hiendelaencina, Spain
Field-hunting tip
Look in low-temperature hydrothermal silver veins country, the host setting where pyrostilpnite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrargyrite, stephanite, silver in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy or lath-like crystals, often in radiating clusters habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find pyrostilpnite on the map
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