Fangite is a rare thallium arsenic sulfosalt typically found as thin crusts or small deep red to maroon aggregates in hydrothermal deposits. It is a highly sought-after species for mineral collectors due to its rarity and association with other thallium-bearing minerals.
Is this fangite?
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 fangite with a known reference. Fangite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fangite leaves a orange streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fangite typically shows a vitreous to metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: deep red, maroon.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: microcrystalline aggregates, crusts, or radiating crystals.
Often confused with
Fangite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Fangite leaves orange, Orpiment leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous to metallic on Fangite and resinous on Orpiment.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Fangite leaves orange, Realgar leaves orange-red; luster reads vitreous to metallic on Fangite and resinous on Realgar.
Often found alongside fangite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fangite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Tl₃AsS₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 6.18 g/cm³
- Streak
- Orange
- Luster
- Vitreous to Metallic
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Microcrystalline Aggregates, Crusts, Or Radiating Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Gold Deposits
Where rockhounds find fangite
Classic worldwide localities
- Getchell mine, Nevada, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal gold deposits country, the host setting where fangite typically forms. If you start seeing orpiment, realgar, lorandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microcrystalline aggregates, crusts, or radiating crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify fangite?+
Where is fangite found?+
Is fangite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like fangite?+
What minerals are found with fangite?+
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Find fangite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
