Aikinite is a distinctive lead-copper-bismuth sulfide that typically forms slender, acicular crystals or elongated prisms with characteristic longitudinal striations. It is highly sought after by collectors for its sharp crystal habits and is most famously associated with the gold mines of the Berezovskoe district in Russia.
Is this aikinite?
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 aikinite with a known reference. Aikinite sits at Mohs 2-2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Aikinite leaves a grayish black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Aikinite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, blackish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, striated prisms, massive.
Often confused with
Aikinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Aikinite leaves grayish black, Wittichenite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Aikinite leaves grayish black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Aikinite leaves grayish black, Bournonite leaves steel-gray; luster reads metallic on Aikinite and dull on Bournonite.
Often found alongside aikinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with aikinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbCuBiS₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 6.7-6.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Grayish Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Striated Prisms, Massive
- Cleavage
- Indistinct On {010}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Rare Metal Ore
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
Where rockhounds find aikinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Berezovskoe, Ural Mountains, Russia
- Glendinning, Scotland
- Binnental, Switzerland
- Leadville, Colorado, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where aikinite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, pyrite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, striated prisms, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify aikinite?+
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Find aikinite on the map
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