Watanabeite is a rare copper arsenic sulfosalt usually found as microscopic grains within hydrothermal ore deposits. It is best identified through laboratory analysis of associated epithermal mineralization, as it rarely forms distinct macroscopic crystals of interest to field collectors.
Is this watanabeite?
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 watanabeite with a known reference. Watanabeite sits at Mohs 1.5-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Watanabeite leaves a gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Watanabeite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: microscopic grains, granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Watanabeite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Tetrahedrite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-4 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs — Watanabeite leaves gray, Tetrahedrite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Enargite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs — Watanabeite leaves gray, Enargite leaves grayish-black.
Often found alongside watanabeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with watanabeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₄(As,Sb)₂S₅
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 6.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic Grains, Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Epithermal Gold-copper Deposits
- Typical price
- n/a (rare collector material)
Where rockhounds find watanabeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Teine mine, Hokkaido, Japan
- Bor mine, Serbia
Field-hunting tip
Look in epithermal gold-copper deposits country — that is the host setting where watanabeite typically forms. If you start seeing enargite, gold, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microscopic grains, granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find watanabeite on the map
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