Rhodostannite is an uncommon copper iron tin sulfide typically found in hydrothermal tin deposits. It is often indistinguishable from stannite without professional X-ray diffraction or chemical analysis and typically occurs as metallic, dark-colored grains or massive aggregates.
Is this rhodostannite?
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 rhodostannite with a known reference. Rhodostannite sits at Mohs 4, 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: reddish gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Rhodostannite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside rhodostannite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rhodostannite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₂FeSn₃S₈
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 4.79 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- An alteration product of stannite (Vila Apacheta, Bolivia)
Where rockhounds find rhodostannite
Classic worldwide localities
- Dean mine, southeast of Battle Mountain, Lander Co., Nevada, and in the Campbell mine, Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
- Vila Apacheta, Bolivia (type locality)
- Pirquitas deposit, Rinconada Department, Jujuy Province, Argentina
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An alteration product of stannite (Vila Apacheta, Bolivia). If you start seeing stannite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify rhodostannite?+
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Is rhodostannite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like rhodostannite?+
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Find rhodostannite on the map
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