Stetefeldtite is a rare silver-antimony oxide mineral typically found as a secondary oxidation product in silver-rich ore bodies. It usually appears as massive, earthy crusts or coatings in shades of brown to black, making identification difficult without laboratory analysis.
Is this stetefeldtite?
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 stetefeldtite with a known reference. Stetefeldtite sits at Mohs 3.5-4.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Stetefeldtite leaves a yellowish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Stetefeldtite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, black, yellowish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive, crusts, earthy.
Often confused with
Stetefeldtite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Stetefeldtite leaves yellowish, Stibiconite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Stetefeldtite and dull on Stibiconite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Stetefeldtite leaves yellowish, Bindheimite leaves yellow; luster reads resinous on Stetefeldtite and earthy on Bindheimite.
Often found alongside stetefeldtite
Minerals reported to co-occur with stetefeldtite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₂Sb₂O₆(O,OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4.5
- Density
- 5.0-6.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Crusts, Earthy
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Silver-antimony Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find stetefeldtite
Classic worldwide localities
- Nevada, USA
- Mexico
- Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of silver-antimony deposits country — that is the host setting where stetefeldtite typically forms. If you start seeing silver, antimony, stibnite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, crusts, earthy habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify stetefeldtite?+
Where is stetefeldtite found?+
How much is stetefeldtite worth?+
Is stetefeldtite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like stetefeldtite?+
What minerals are found with stetefeldtite?+
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Find stetefeldtite on the map
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