Villamanínite is a rare sulfide mineral typically occurring as fine-grained, metallic masses within hydrothermal vein systems. Collectors generally find it in its type locality in Spain, often associated with other copper and nickel sulfides in dolomitic host rocks.
Is this villamanínite?
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 villamanínite with a known reference. Villamanínite sits at Mohs 4.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Villamanínite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Villamanínite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: fine-grained massive, rarely as small cubic crystals.
Often confused with
Villamanínite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside villamanínite
Minerals reported to co-occur with villamanínite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Cu,Ni,Co,Fe)S₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 4.45-4.50 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Fine-grained Massive, Rarely as Small Cubic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Limestone
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find villamanínite
Classic worldwide localities
- Villamanín, León, Spain
- Katanga, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in limestone country — that is the host setting where villamanínite typically forms. If you start seeing dolomite, calcite, cinnabar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fine-grained massive, rarely as small cubic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find villamanínite on the map
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