Spryite is a rare silver arsenic sulfosalt that forms black equant crystals. It occurs in a hydrothermal Ag-Ge-Mn deposit. Associated minerals include proustite, argyrodite and galena. It was first described from Uchucchacua polymetallic deposit, Oyon district, Cajatambo, Lima Department, Peru.
Is this spryite?
4-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 spryite with a known reference. Spryite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: equant crystals.
Often found alongside spryite
Minerals reported to co-occur with spryite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₈(As³⁺₀.₅As⁵⁺₀.₅)S₆
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 6.334 g/cm³
- Colors
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Equant crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a hydrothermal Ag-Ge-Mn deposit
Where rockhounds find spryite
Classic worldwide localities
- Uchucchacua polymetallic deposit, Oyon district, Cajatambo, Lima Department, Peru
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a hydrothermal Ag-Ge-Mn deposit. If you start seeing proustite, argyrodite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: equant crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find spryite on the map
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