Versiliaite is an exceptionally rare sulfosalt mineral primarily found in the Apuan Alps of Italy. It typically forms fine, acicular, needle-like crystals in radiating groups and is best identified by its distinct association with other rare antimony-lead minerals in metamorphosed ore deposits.
Is this versiliaite?
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 versiliaite with a known reference. Versiliaite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy.
Often confused with
Versiliaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Versiliaite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Versiliaite leaves black, Stibnite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Versiliaite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Versiliaite leaves black, Jamesonite leaves black. grayish.
How to tell apart: Versiliaite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs, so Versiliaite leaves black, Bournonite leaves steel-gray to iron-black; luster reads metallic on Versiliaite and brilliant to dull on Bournonite.
Often found alongside versiliaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with versiliaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe₂Fe₂)(Fe₂Sb₆)O₁₆S
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 5.12 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In an iron ore deposit in barite formed by metasomatic processes at the contact between phyllites and dolostones
Where rockhounds find versiliaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Buca della Vena mine, northeast of Stazzema, Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In an iron ore deposit in barite formed by metasomatic processes at the contact between phyllites and dolostones. If you start seeing schafarzikite, apuanite, derbylite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify versiliaite?+
Where is versiliaite found?+
Is versiliaite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like versiliaite?+
What minerals are found with versiliaite?+
What kind of rock does versiliaite form in?+
What is versiliaite used for?+
Find versiliaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
