Enneasartorite is an extremely rare lead-arsenic sulfosalt primarily found in the famous Binn Valley deposits. It typically forms as delicate, metallic, striated prismatic crystals and is visually indistinguishable from its related sulfosalt group members without chemical analysis.
Is this enneasartorite?
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 enneasartorite with a known reference. Enneasartorite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Enneasartorite leaves a dark brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Enneasartorite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: striated prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Enneasartorite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Enneasartorite leaves dark brown, Sartorite leaves chocolate-brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Enneasartorite leaves dark brown, Liveingite leaves chocolate-brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Enneasartorite leaves dark brown, Dufrénoysite leaves reddish-brown.
Often found alongside enneasartorite
Minerals reported to co-occur with enneasartorite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₁₈As₂₆S₅₈
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 5.32 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Dark Brown
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Striated Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Dolomitic Marble
Where rockhounds find enneasartorite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lengenbach Quarry, Binn Valley, Switzerland
Field-hunting tip
Look in dolomitic marble country, the host setting where enneasartorite typically forms. If you start seeing sartorite, realgar, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a striated prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify enneasartorite?+
Where is enneasartorite found?+
Is enneasartorite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like enneasartorite?+
What minerals are found with enneasartorite?+
What kind of rock does enneasartorite form in?+
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Find enneasartorite on the map
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