Sabelliite is a very rare copper-silver-arsenic-antimony sulfosalt mineral primarily known from the Pollone mine in Italy. It typically occurs as minute, dark green, platy crystals or granular masses associated with baryte and other sulfides in hydrothermal veins.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Pale Green

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Sabelliite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Pale Green
Transparency: Translucent

No image

Is this sabelliite?

5-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 sabelliite with a known reference. Sabelliite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Sabelliite leaves a pale green streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Sabelliite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: deep green, blue-green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Tetrahedrite

Mohs 3-4

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Sabelliite leaves pale green, Tetrahedrite leaves black; luster reads vitreous on Sabelliite and metallic on Tetrahedrite.

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Often found alongside sabelliite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: (Cu,Ag)₆AlAsSbS₄
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 4.57 g/cm³
Colors: Deep Green Blue-green
Streak: Pale Green
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Platy Crystals, Granular Aggregates
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Veins
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find sabelliite

Classic worldwide localities

Pollone mine, Tuscany, Italy

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where sabelliite typically forms. If you start seeing baryte, chalcopyrite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify sabelliite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is pale green. Common colors include deep green, blue-green.

Where is sabelliite found?+

Notable localities include Pollone mine, Tuscany, Italy.

How much is sabelliite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is sabelliite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains arsenic and copper; wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid inhaling dust. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like sabelliite?+

Sabelliite is most often confused with Tetrahedrite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with sabelliite?+

Sabelliite commonly co-occurs with Baryte, Chalcopyrite, Galena, Pyrite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does sabelliite form in?+

Sabelliite typically forms in hydrothermal veins. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is sabelliite used for?+

Sabelliite is used in collector.

Find sabelliite on the map

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