Rouxelite is an exceptionally rare copper-mercury-lead-antimony sulfoselenide mineral known primarily from the Crvena Stijena mine in Serbia. It typically forms delicate red to brownish-black acicular or fibrous needle-like crystals that require careful handling due to their fragile nature.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Rouxelite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque

Is this rouxelite?

4-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch rouxelite with a known reference. Rouxelite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular.

Often confused with

Rouxelite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Cinnabar

Mohs 2-2.5

How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Rouxelite and adamantine, inclining to metallic when dark; dull in friable material on Cinnabar.

Often found alongside rouxelite

Minerals reported to co-occur with rouxelite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Cu₂HgPb₂₂Sb₂₈S₆₄(O,S)₂
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 5.86 g/cm³
Colors: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Acicular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In calcite veinlets cutting dolomitic lenses in a barite, pyrite and Fe-oxide deposit

Where rockhounds find rouxelite

Classic worldwide localities

Buca della Vena Fe-Ba deposit, near the village of Ponte Stazzemese, and the Sant’Olga tunnel, Monte Arsiccio mine, near Sant'Anna di Stazzema, Apuan Alps, Italy
Magurka antimony deposit, Slovakia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In calcite veinlets cutting dolomitic lenses in a barite, pyrite and Fe-oxide deposit. If you start seeing bournonite, tetrahedrite, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify rouxelite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. Luster: metallic. Common colors include black.

Where is rouxelite found?+

Notable localities include Buca della Vena Fe-Ba deposit, near the village of Ponte Stazzemese, and the Sant’Olga tunnel, Monte Arsiccio mine, near Sant'Anna di Stazzema, Apuan Alps, Italy; Magurka antimony deposit, Slovakia.

Is rouxelite safe to handle?+

Rouxelite contains antimony, copper, lead and mercury and calls for real care. Contains mercury, lead, and copper; wash hands after handling and avoid inhaling dust or powder.

What rocks look like rouxelite?+

Rouxelite is most often confused with Cinnabar, Stibnite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with rouxelite?+

Rouxelite commonly co-occurs with Bournonite, Tetrahedrite, Sphalerite, Tl-bearing chovanite, Valentinite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does rouxelite form in?+

Where it forms: In calcite veinlets cutting dolomitic lenses in a barite, pyrite and Fe-oxide deposit. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is rouxelite used for?+

Rouxelite is used in collector.

Find rouxelite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.