Stannite is a rare sulfide mineral that serves as an important secondary ore for tin. It is typically found in massive or granular forms with a characteristic steel-gray to bronze-black metallic luster, often mistaken for chalcopyrite but distinguished by its darker streak.
Is this stannite?
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 stannite with a known reference. Stannite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Stannite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Stannite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel gray, iron black, blackish bronze.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: massive, granular, or rare pseudo-tetrahedral crystals.
Often confused with
Stannite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Stannite leaves black, Chalcopyrite leaves greenish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Stannite leaves black, Sphalerite leaves white to yellow-brown; luster reads metallic on Stannite and resinous to submetallic on Sphalerite.
Often found alongside stannite
Minerals reported to co-occur with stannite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₂FeSnS₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.3-4.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or Rare Pseudo-tetrahedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- Indistinct
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Ore of Tin, Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Tin-copper Veins
- Typical price
- $15-80 for small cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find stannite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bolivia
- Cornwall, England
- Tasmania, Australia
- Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal tin-copper veins country — that is the host setting where stannite typically forms. If you start seeing chalcopyrite, sphalerite, cassiterite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or rare pseudo-tetrahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find stannite on the map
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