Tsnigriite is a rare silver antimony telluride mineral known primarily from epithermal gold-telluride deposits in Uzbekistan. It is typically found as microscopic grains or small aggregates associated with other tellurides and sulfides, making it difficult to identify without laboratory analysis like EDS or X-ray diffraction.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Tsnigriite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this tsnigriite?

4-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 tsnigriite with a known reference. Tsnigriite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: dark gray.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic crystals.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Tsnigriite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2-2.5).

Compare →

Often found alongside tsnigriite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ag₉SbTe₃S₃
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 7.38 g/cm³
Colors: Dark gray
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Anhedral grains, microscopic crystals
Cleavage: None reported
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In hydrothermal polymetallic gold silver or lead zinc deposits

Where rockhounds find tsnigriite

Classic worldwide localities

Vysokovol'tnoye deposit, western part of the south Tian Shan fold belt, Uzbekistan, and the Bethumi deposit, Rajasthan, India

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In hydrothermal polymetallic gold silver or lead zinc deposits. If you start seeing galena, sphalerite, pyrrhotite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify tsnigriite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. Luster: metallic. Common colors include dark gray.

Where is tsnigriite found?+

Notable localities include Vysokovol'tnoye deposit, western part of the south Tian Shan fold belt, Uzbekistan, and the Bethumi deposit, Rajasthan, India.

Is tsnigriite safe to handle?+

Tsnigriite contains antimony. Contains silver, antimony, and tellurium; handle with care and avoid inhalation of dust or ingestion.

What rocks look like tsnigriite?+

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

What minerals are found with tsnigriite?+

Tsnigriite commonly co-occurs with Galena, Sphalerite, Pyrrhotite, Falkmanite, Hessite, Mercurian gold. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does tsnigriite form in?+

Where it forms: In hydrothermal polymetallic gold silver or lead zinc deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is tsnigriite used for?+

Tsnigriite is used in collector.

Find tsnigriite on the map

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