Seligmannite is a rare lead copper sulfosalt often occurring in complex, dark, metallic crystals. It is most famous for its association with the Binnental mineral locality in Switzerland, where it is found in dolomite cavities.
Is this seligmannite?
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 seligmannite with a known reference. Seligmannite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Seligmannite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Seligmannite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular to prismatic crystals, often showing complex faces and pseudo-tetragonal twinning.
Often confused with
Seligmannite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside seligmannite
Minerals reported to co-occur with seligmannite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbCuAsS₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 5.4-5.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to Prismatic Crystals, Often Showing Complex Faces and Pseudo-tetragonal Twinning
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Dolomite
- Typical price
- $50-300 for small thumbnail specimens
Where rockhounds find seligmannite
Classic worldwide localities
- Binnental, Switzerland
- Ljuboten, North Macedonia
- Kapnik, Romania
- Ojuela Mine, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in dolomite country — that is the host setting where seligmannite typically forms. If you start seeing dolomite, sphalerite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular to prismatic crystals, often showing complex faces and pseudo-tetragonal twinning habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find seligmannite on the map
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