Skinnerite is a rare copper antimony sulfide mineral usually found in hydrothermal veins. It typically presents as small gray to black tabular crystals or in massive form, often appearing alongside other sulfide minerals like galena and sphalerite.

Hardness

2.5-3

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Skinnerite

Hardness: 2.5-3
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

Is this skinnerite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch skinnerite with a known reference. Skinnerite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Skinnerite leaves a black streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Skinnerite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: gray, black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive.

Often confused with

Skinnerite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Skinnerite leaves black, Bournonite leaves steel-gray.

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Often found alongside skinnerite

Minerals reported to co-occur with skinnerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Cu₃SbS₃
Mohs hardness: 2.5-3
Density: 5.65 g/cm³
Colors: Gray Black
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Veins
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find skinnerite

Classic worldwide localities

Casapalca, Peru
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
Binnental, Switzerland

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where skinnerite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, sphalerite, pyrite 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

How do you identify skinnerite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5-3. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is black. Common colors include gray, black.

Where is skinnerite found?+

Notable localities include Casapalca, Peru; Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada; Binnental, Switzerland.

How much is skinnerite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is skinnerite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains arsenic and antimony; wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid ingestion or inhalation of dust. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like skinnerite?+

Skinnerite is most often confused with Tetrahedrite, Bournonite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with skinnerite?+

Skinnerite commonly co-occurs with Galena, Sphalerite, Pyrite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does skinnerite form in?+

Skinnerite typically forms in hydrothermal veins. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is skinnerite used for?+

Skinnerite is used in collector.

Find skinnerite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.