Stromeyerite is a rare silver-copper sulfide that typically appears as dark, metallic, steel-gray masses. Collectors look for its characteristic tarnish, which can develop a slight iridescent blue or purple sheen over time. It is primarily found in hydrothermal veins alongside other silver and copper-bearing sulfides.
Is this stromeyerite?
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 stromeyerite with a known reference. Stromeyerite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Stromeyerite leaves a dark gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Stromeyerite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel-gray, dark blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, compact, rarely in small tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Stromeyerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Stromeyerite leaves dark gray, Chalcocite leaves lead-gray to black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Stromeyerite leaves dark gray, Argentite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Stromeyerite leaves dark gray, Tetrahedrite leaves black.
Often found alongside stromeyerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with stromeyerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- AgCuS
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 6.2-6.3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Dark Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Compact, Rarely in Small Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Silver
- Host rock
- Low-temperature Hydrothermal Sulfide Veins
- Typical price
- $20-200 thumbnail, $150-600 cabinet
Where rockhounds find stromeyerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jáchymov, Czech Republic
- Broken Hill, Australia
- Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Schneeberg, Germany
- Guanajuato, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in low-temperature hydrothermal sulfide veins country, the host setting where stromeyerite typically forms. If you start seeing argentite, chalcocite, bornite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, compact, rarely in small tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find stromeyerite on the map
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