Vinciennite is a rare copper-iron-tin-arsenic sulfide belonging to the stannite group. It is typically found as small, massive grains in hydrothermal ore deposits and is highly prized by advanced mineral collectors for its complex chemistry.
Is this vinciennite?
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 vinciennite with a known reference. Vinciennite 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. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: granular.
Often confused with
Vinciennite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Vinciennite leaves black, Stannite leaves blackish.
How to tell apart: Vinciennite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3-3.25); streak differs, so Vinciennite leaves black, Bornite leaves pale grayish black.
How to tell apart: Vinciennite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Vinciennite leaves black, Enargite leaves grayish black.
Often found alongside vinciennite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vinciennite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₁₀Fe₄SnAsS₁₆
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 4.29 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- In a porphyry copper deposit with other tin-bearing sulfides (Maggie deposit, Canada)
Where rockhounds find vinciennite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chizeuil, Saone-et-Loire, France
- Huaron, Peru
- Maggie copper deposit, 15 km north of Ashcroft, British Columbia, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a porphyry copper deposit with other tin-bearing sulfides (Maggie deposit, Canada). If you start seeing pyrite, chalcopyrite, colusite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find vinciennite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
