Clino-oscarkempffite is an exceptionally rare sulfosalt mineral primarily identified from the San Jose mine in Bolivia. It typically appears as fine, metallic, lead-gray acicular crystals that require microscopic examination or X-ray diffraction to distinguish from related bismuth-sulfosalts.
Is this clino-oscarkempffite?
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 clino-oscarkempffite with a known reference. Clino-oscarkempffite sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: dark gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: grayish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular to prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Clino-oscarkempffite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Clino-oscarkempffite leaves dark gray, Lillianite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Clino-oscarkempffite leaves dark gray, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Clino-oscarkempffite leaves dark gray, Bismuthinite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside clino-oscarkempffite
Minerals reported to co-occur with clino-oscarkempffite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₁₅Pb₆Sb₂₁Bi₁₈S₇₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 6.04 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Dark gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular to prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In a hydrothermal Ag-Sn vein deposit
Where rockhounds find clino-oscarkempffite
Classic worldwide localities
- San Jose mine, Oruro, Bolivia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a hydrothermal Ag-Sn vein deposit. If you start seeing aramayoite, oscarkempffite, arsenopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular to prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify clino-oscarkempffite?+
Where is clino-oscarkempffite found?+
Is clino-oscarkempffite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like clino-oscarkempffite?+
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Find clino-oscarkempffite on the map
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