Wittichenite is a rare copper bismuth sulfide that typically appears as metallic, steel-gray to tin-white massive aggregates. It is best known by advanced collectors for occurring in specific hydrothermal deposit types, particularly in the Black Forest region of Germany.

Hardness

2-3

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Wittichenite

Hardness: 2-3
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

Is this wittichenite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch wittichenite with a known reference. Wittichenite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: lead gray, bronze, steel gray, tin white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: columnar, massive, nodular.

Often confused with

Wittichenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Aikinite

Mohs 2-2.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Wittichenite leaves black, Aikinite leaves grayish black.

Often found alongside wittichenite

Minerals reported to co-occur with wittichenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Cu₃BiS₃
Mohs hardness: 2-3
Density: 6.01 g/cm³
Colors: Lead gray Bronze Steel gray Tin white
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Columnar, massive, nodular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In hydrothermal veins with other bismuth minerals (Wittichen, Germany); with Cu-Fe sulfides (Seathwaite Tarn, England); with secondary uranium minerals and selenides of Cu, Pb, and Bi (Kletno, Poland)

Where rockhounds find wittichenite

Classic worldwide localities

Butte, Silver Bow Co., Montana, USA
Fairfax quarry, Centreville, Fairfax Co., Virginia, USA
Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
Maid of Erin mine, Rainy Hollow district, British Columbia, Canada
Cobalt, Ontario, Canada
Schapbachtal, and at the Neuglück, Daniel, and King David mines, near Wittichen, Black Forest, Germany

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In hydrothermal veins with other bismuth minerals (Wittichen, Germany); with Cu-Fe sulfides (Seathwaite Tarn, England); with secondary uranium minerals and selenides of Cu, Pb, and Bi (Kletno, Poland). If you start seeing bornite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: columnar, massive, nodular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify wittichenite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-3. Luster: metallic. The streak is black. Common colors include lead gray, bronze, steel gray, tin white.

Where is wittichenite found?+

Notable localities include Butte, Silver Bow Co., Montana, USA; Fairfax quarry, Centreville, Fairfax Co., Virginia, USA; Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA; Maid of Erin mine, Rainy Hollow district, British Columbia, Canada; Cobalt, Ontario, Canada.

Is wittichenite safe to handle?+

Wittichenite contains copper. Contains copper and bismuth, and is often associated with other toxic heavy metals; handle with care and avoid inhalation of dust when cutting or grinding.

What rocks look like wittichenite?+

Wittichenite is most often confused with Aikinite, Emplectite, Tetrahedrite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with wittichenite?+

Wittichenite commonly co-occurs with Bornite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite, Djurleite, Digenite, Tennantite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does wittichenite form in?+

Where it forms: In hydrothermal veins with other bismuth minerals (Wittichen, Germany); with Cu-Fe sulfides (Seathwaite Tarn, England); with secondary uranium minerals and selenides of Cu, Pb, and Bi (Kletno, Poland). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is wittichenite used for?+

Wittichenite is used in collector.

Find wittichenite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.