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 — Stromeyerite leaves dark gray, Chalcocite leaves lead-gray to black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Stromeyerite leaves dark gray, Argentite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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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