Renierite is a rare germanium-bearing sulfide mineral that typically occurs as massive or granular intergrowths within complex sulfide ore bodies. Collectors primarily seek it for its distinct bronze metallic luster and its association with the classic Tsumeb mining district.
Is this renierite?
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 renierite with a known reference. Renierite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: blackish gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bronze yellow, pinkish brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: disseminated, massive, twinning common.
Often confused with
Renierite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Renierite leaves blackish gray, Germanite leaves dark gray to black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Renierite leaves blackish gray, Bornite leaves pale grayish black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Renierite leaves blackish gray, Tennantite leaves reddish gray.
Often found alongside renierite
Minerals reported to co-occur with renierite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Cu,Zn,Ge,As,Fe,S)₁₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.38 g/cm³
- Colors
- Bronze yellowPinkish brown
- Streak
- Blackish gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Disseminated, massive, twinning common
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- Rare in some Ge-bearing hydrothermal polymetallic deposits
Where rockhounds find renierite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ruby Creek deposit, southern Brooks Range, Alaska, USA
- Inexco #1 mine, Jamestown, Boulder Co., Colorado, USA
- Prince-Léopold mine, Kipushi, 28 km southwest of Lubumbashi, Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire) (type locality)
- M’Passa, 150 km west of Brazzaville, Niari Province, Congo Republic
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Kabwe (Broken Hill), Zambia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Rare in some Ge-bearing hydrothermal polymetallic deposits. If you start seeing germanite, tennantite, enargite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: disseminated, massive, twinning common. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify renierite?+
Where is renierite found?+
Is renierite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like renierite?+
What minerals are found with renierite?+
What kind of rock does renierite form in?+
What is renierite used for?+
Find renierite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
