Stützite is a rare silver telluride mineral typically found as massive or granular inclusions within telluride-rich ore deposits. Because it looks very similar to other silver tellurides like hessite, positive identification often requires XRD or polished section analysis. It is highly sought after by advanced collectors of rare telluride minerals.

Hardness

1.5-2

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Stützite

Hardness: 1.5-2
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

Is this stützite?

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 stützite with a known reference. Stützite sits at Mohs 1.5-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Stützite leaves a black streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Stützite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: lead-gray, iron-black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive, granular aggregates.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Stützite leaves black, Petzite leaves iron-black.

Often found alongside stützite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ag₅₋ₓTe₃
Mohs hardness: 1.5-2
Density: 8.5 g/cm³
Colors: Lead-gray Iron-black
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Massive, Granular Aggregates
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Epithermal Gold-telluride Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find stützite

Classic worldwide localities

Sacaramb, Romania
Crippel Creek, Colorado, USA
Moctezuma, Mexico
Kalgoorlie, Australia

Field-hunting tip

Look in epithermal gold-telluride deposits country — that is the host setting where stützite typically forms. If you start seeing hessite, altaite, gold in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify stützite?+

Mohs hardness is 1.5-2. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is black. Common colors include lead-gray, iron-black.

Where is stützite found?+

Notable localities include Sacaramb, Romania; Crippel Creek, Colorado, USA; Moctezuma, Mexico; Kalgoorlie, Australia.

How much is stützite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is stützite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains silver and tellurium; handle with care to avoid ingestion or inhalation of dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like stützite?+

Stützite is most often confused with Hessite, Petzite, Altaite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with stützite?+

Stützite commonly co-occurs with Hessite, Altaite, Gold, Tellurides. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does stützite form in?+

Stützite typically forms in epithermal gold-telluride deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is stützite used for?+

Stützite is used in collector.

Find stützite on the map

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