Sahlinite is a rare lead arsenate mineral typically found in metamorphosed ore deposits. Collectors identify it by its distinct resinous luster, platy habit, and yellowish-orange hue, usually found in specimens from the Långban mines in Sweden.
Is this sahlinite?
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 sahlinite with a known reference. Sahlinite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Sahlinite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sahlinite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-orange, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy or micaceous aggregates, massive.
Often confused with
Sahlinite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Mimetite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2.5); luster reads resinous on Sahlinite and adamantine on Mimetite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads resinous on Sahlinite and vitreous on Chlorophoenicite.
Often found alongside sahlinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with sahlinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₁₄(AsO₄)₂O₉Cl₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 6.75 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy or Micaceous Aggregates, Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Iron-manganese Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 for small specimens
Where rockhounds find sahlinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Langban, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed iron-manganese ore deposits country — that is the host setting where sahlinite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, barite, hedyphane in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy or micaceous aggregates, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find sahlinite on the map
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