Simonite is an exceptionally rare thallium-arsenic sulfosalt primarily found at the Allchar deposit in North Macedonia. It typically occurs as small orange to reddish-orange tabular crystals associated with other rare thallium species.
Is this simonite?
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 simonite with a known reference. Simonite sits at Mohs 1.5-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Simonite leaves a orange-yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Simonite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange, reddish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Simonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Simonite leaves orange-yellow, Realgar leaves orange-red; luster reads adamantine on Simonite and resinous on Realgar.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Simonite leaves orange-yellow, Orpiment leaves yellow; luster reads adamantine on Simonite and resinous on Orpiment.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Simonite leaves orange-yellow, Lorandite leaves cherry-red; luster reads adamantine on Simonite and metallic on Lorandite.
Often found alongside simonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with simonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- TlAs₃S₅
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 3.84 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Orange-yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Mineral Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300+ depending on crystal size and quality
Where rockhounds find simonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Allchar, North Macedonia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal mineral deposits country, the host setting where simonite typically forms. If you start seeing lorandite, realgar, orpiment in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find simonite on the map
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