Treasurite is a rare silver lead bismuth sulfosalt. It occurs in hydrothermal vein material. It was first described from the Treasure Vault mine, Geneva district, Park Co., Colorado, USA.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Treasurite

Treasurite is a rare silver lead bismuth sulfosalt. It occurs in hydrothermal vein material. It was first described from the Treasure Vault mine, Geneva district, Park Co., Colorado, USA.

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

Is this treasurite?

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 treasurite with a known reference. Treasurite 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. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, granular, microscopic crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Calcite

Mohs 3

How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Treasurite and vitreous; pearly on cleavages and {0001} on Calcite.

How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Treasurite and vitreous, silky in fibrous aggregates on Dawsonite.

Compare →

Often found alongside treasurite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ag₇Pb₆Bi₁₅S₃₀
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 7.25 g/cm³
Colors: Black
Streak: White
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Aggregates, granular, microscopic crystals
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In hydrothermal vein material

Where rockhounds find treasurite

Classic worldwide localities

Treasure Vault (misnamed Treasury) mine, Geneva district, Park and Summit Cos., Colorado, USA
A prospect, 10 km southwest of Tyrone, Grant Co., New Mexico, USA
Kochbulak deposit, eastern Uzbekistan, USSR

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In hydrothermal vein material. If you start seeing analcime, siderite, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, granular, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify treasurite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. Luster: metallic. The streak is white. Common colors include black.

Where is treasurite found?+

Notable localities include Treasure Vault (misnamed Treasury) mine, Geneva district, Park and Summit Cos., Colorado, USA; A prospect, 10 km southwest of Tyrone, Grant Co., New Mexico, USA; Kochbulak deposit, eastern Uzbekistan, USSR.

Is treasurite safe to handle?+

Treasurite contains lead. Contains lead, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid creating dust.

What rocks look like treasurite?+

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

What minerals are found with treasurite?+

Treasurite commonly co-occurs with Analcime, Siderite, Microcline. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does treasurite form in?+

Where it forms: In hydrothermal vein material. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is treasurite used for?+

Treasurite is used in collector.

Find treasurite on the map

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