Viaeneite is a rare iron-lead sulfide-oxide mineral that occurs as black, microcrystalline crusts. It was discovered in the Engis zinc-lead deposit in Belgium, typically forming in association with other sulfide minerals in limestone.
Is this viaeneite?
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 viaeneite with a known reference. Viaeneite sits at Mohs 3-3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Viaeneite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Viaeneite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: microcrystalline aggregates.
Often confused with
Viaeneite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Pyrite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 3-3.5); streak differs — Viaeneite leaves black, Pyrite leaves greenish-black to brownish-black.
How to tell apart: Marcasite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 3-3.5); streak differs — Viaeneite leaves black, Marcasite leaves greyish-black.
Often found alongside viaeneite
Minerals reported to co-occur with viaeneite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe,Pb)₄S₈O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 4.6-4.7 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Microcrystalline Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Carbonate Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find viaeneite
Classic worldwide localities
- Engis, Liege Province, Belgium
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary carbonate rocks country — that is the host setting where viaeneite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrite, marcasite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microcrystalline aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find viaeneite on the map
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