Stistaite is a rare tin-antimony alloy mineral primarily found as microscopic inclusions within cassiterite ores. It typically appears as metallic, pale gray grains and is highly sought after by advanced mineral collectors of rare metallic species.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Stistaite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Metallic
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

Is this stistaite?

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 stistaite with a known reference. Stistaite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Stistaite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Stistaite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pale gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: interstitial grains, inclusions.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Dyscrasite

Mohs 3.5-4

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Stistaite leaves white, Dyscrasite leaves silver-white.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Stistaite leaves white, Stannite leaves blackish.

Compare →

Often found alongside stistaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: SnSb
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 5.59 g/cm³
Colors: Pale Gray
Streak: White
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Interstitial Grains, Inclusions
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Veins, Tin Deposits

Where rockhounds find stistaite

Classic worldwide localities

Republic of Sakha, Russia
Tasmania, Australia

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal veins, tin deposits country, the host setting where stistaite typically forms. If you start seeing cassiterite, galena, arsenopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a interstitial grains, inclusions habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify stistaite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is white. Common colors include pale gray.

Where is stistaite found?+

Notable localities include Republic of Sakha, Russia; Tasmania, Australia.

Is stistaite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains Antimony, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling specimens. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like stistaite?+

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

What minerals are found with stistaite?+

Stistaite commonly co-occurs with Cassiterite, Galena, Arsenopyrite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does stistaite form in?+

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

What is stistaite used for?+

Stistaite is used in collector.

Find stistaite on the map

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