Samsonite is a rare silver sulfosalt that typically occurs as small, dark, metallic prismatic crystals in hydrothermal ore deposits. It is most famously associated with the Andreasberg mining district in Germany, where it was first identified. Collectors prize it for its unique chemical composition and distinct crystalline morphology.
Is this samsonite?
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 samsonite with a known reference. Samsonite 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. Streak: dark red.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, steel black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic.
Often confused with
Samsonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Samsonite leaves dark red, Stephanite leaves iron-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Samsonite leaves dark red, Pyrargyrite leaves purplish red; luster reads metallic on Samsonite and adamantine on Pyrargyrite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Samsonite leaves dark red, Miargyrite leaves cherry-red.
Often found alongside samsonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with samsonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₄MnSb₂S₆
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 5.51 g/cm³
- Colors
- BlackSteel black
- Streak
- Dark red
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Very rare in a hydrothermal vein (St. Andreasberg, Germany)
Where rockhounds find samsonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Samson vein, St. Andreasberg, Harz Mountains, Germany (type locality)
- Garpenberg Norra mine, Dalarna, Sweden
- Brady Lake property of the Silver Miller mine, near Cobalt, Ontario, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Very rare in a hydrothermal vein (St. Andreasberg, Germany). If you start seeing pyrargyrite, galena, dyscrasite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify samsonite?+
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Is samsonite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like samsonite?+
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Find samsonite on the map
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