Wilhelmramsayite is a very rare copper iron sulfide mineral found primarily in alkaline igneous environments. It typically occurs as small, black, tabular crystals or coatings associated with minerals like aegirine and nepheline in rare-earth rich pegmatites.
Is this wilhelmramsayite?
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 wilhelmramsayite with a known reference. Wilhelmramsayite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wilhelmramsayite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wilhelmramsayite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy or thin tabular crystals, often as aggregates or disseminated grains.
Often confused with
Wilhelmramsayite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Bornite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); streak differs — Wilhelmramsayite leaves black, Bornite leaves greyish black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Wilhelmramsayite leaves black, Chalcocite leaves lead-gray to black.
Often found alongside wilhelmramsayite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wilhelmramsayite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₃FeS₃·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.85 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy or Thin Tabular Crystals, Often as Aggregates or Disseminated Grains
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Alkaline Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find wilhelmramsayite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline pegmatites country — that is the host setting where wilhelmramsayite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy or thin tabular crystals, often as aggregates or disseminated grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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