Ralphcannonite is a rare silver zinc thallium sulfosalt, typically black. Associated minerals include hatchite, realgar and baryte. It was first described from Lengenbach quarry, Binn Valley, Wallis, Switzerland.
Is this ralphcannonite?
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 ralphcannonite with a known reference. Ralphcannonite sits at Mohs 2-2.5, 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: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Ralphcannonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Stannite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs, so Ralphcannonite leaves black, Stannite leaves blackish.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ralphcannonite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ralphcannonite leaves black, Bournonite leaves steel-gray to iron-black; luster reads metallic on Ralphcannonite and brilliant to dull on Bournonite.
Often found alongside ralphcannonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ralphcannonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- AgZn₂TlAs₂S₆
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 4.927 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains
- Cleavage
- None observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In massive to interstitial sulfosalt accumulations in metamorphosed (upper greenschist to amphibolite facies) dolostone
Where rockhounds find ralphcannonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lengenbach quarry, Binn Valley, Wallis, Switzerland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In massive to interstitial sulfosalt accumulations in metamorphosed (upper greenschist to amphibolite facies) dolostone. If you start seeing dufrénoysite, hatchite, realgar in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find ralphcannonite on the map
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