Schapbachite is a rare silver bismuth sulfide typically occurring in hydrothermal ore deposits. It is often found as massive or fine-grained aggregates within vein systems alongside other metallic sulfides and is highly prized by collectors for its rare mineral composition.
Is this schapbachite?
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 schapbachite with a known reference. Schapbachite 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: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: grayish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: inclusions.
Often confused with
Schapbachite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside schapbachite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schapbachite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₀.₄Pb₀.₂Bi₀.₄S
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 6.9-7.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Inclusions
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Discredited 1989 as a mixture of matildite and galena
Where rockhounds find schapbachite
Classic worldwide localities
- Schapbach, Germany
- Matildine mine, Peru
- Tasna, Bolivia
- Broken Hill, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Discredited 1989 as a mixture of matildite and galena. If you start seeing galena, bismuthinite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify schapbachite?+
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What rocks look like schapbachite?+
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Find schapbachite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
