Dyscrasite is a rare silver-antimony mineral primarily found in silver-rich hydrothermal vein deposits. It is often distinguished by its silver-white color that quickly tarnishes to a brassy yellow or dark gray upon exposure to air.
Is this dyscrasite?
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 dyscrasite with a known reference. Dyscrasite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Dyscrasite leaves a silver-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Dyscrasite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white, lead-gray, tarnishes-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Dyscrasite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Dyscrasite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Dyscrasite leaves silver-white, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Dyscrasite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); streak differs, so Dyscrasite leaves silver-white, Stibnite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside dyscrasite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dyscrasite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₃Sb
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 9.4-10.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- Silver-white
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Silver
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
Where rockhounds find dyscrasite
Classic worldwide localities
- Andreasberg, Germany
- Broken Hill, Australia
- Cobalt, Canada
- Sala, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where dyscrasite typically forms. If you start seeing silver, galena, tetrahedrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify dyscrasite?+
Where is dyscrasite found?+
Is dyscrasite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like dyscrasite?+
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Find dyscrasite on the map
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