Suredaite is a rare lead-tin sulfide mineral typically found in complex polymetallic hydrothermal vein systems. It is generally identified by its metallic lead-gray luster and its close association with other sulfosalt minerals in tin-bearing deposits.
Is this suredaite?
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 suredaite with a known reference. Suredaite 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. Streak: dark gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: grayish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic, tabular.
Often confused with
Suredaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Suredaite leaves dark gray, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Suredaite leaves dark gray, Cylindrite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Suredaite leaves dark gray, Franckeite leaves grayish black.
Often found alongside suredaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with suredaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbSnS₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 5.54-5.88 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Dark gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, tabular
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}, {101}, and {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a symmetrical banded, hydrothermal vein Ag-Sn deposit
Where rockhounds find suredaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pirquitas Ag-Sn deposit, 135 km west of Abra Pampa, Province Jujuy, northwestern Argentina
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a symmetrical banded, hydrothermal vein Ag-Sn deposit. If you start seeing sphalerite, arsenopyrite, pyrite-marcasite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify suredaite?+
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Is suredaite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like suredaite?+
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Find suredaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
