Ramdohrite is a rare lead-silver sulfosalt mineral found primarily in complex hydrothermal deposits. It is frequently mistaken for other gray metallic sulfides and typically occurs in dense, granular masses or thin, tabular striated crystals.
Is this ramdohrite?
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 ramdohrite with a known reference. Ramdohrite 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. Streak: gray-black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bluish black gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic, tabular.
Often confused with
Ramdohrite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside ramdohrite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ramdohrite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₅.₉Fe₀.₁Mn₀.₁In₀.₁Cd₀.₂Ag₂.₈Sb₁₀.₈S₂₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 5.43 g/cm³
- Colors
- Bluish black gray
- Streak
- Gray-black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, tabular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Found in fine-grained quartz in a hydrothermal vein (Chocaya mine, Bolivia)
Where rockhounds find ramdohrite
Classic worldwide localities
- Round Valley tungsten mine, Bishop Creek area, Inyo Co., California and at Bear Basin, King Co., Washington, USA
- Colorado Ag-Sn vein, Chocaya mine, Potosi, and from Tatasi, Bolivia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Found in fine-grained quartz in a hydrothermal vein (Chocaya mine, Bolivia). If you start seeing pyrite, stannite, andorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ramdohrite?+
Where is ramdohrite found?+
Is ramdohrite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like ramdohrite?+
What minerals are found with ramdohrite?+
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Find ramdohrite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
