Morozeviczite is a rare germanium-bearing sulfide mineral typically found in complex base metal deposits. It is most recognized for its occurrence in the Tsumeb Mine, where it appears as minor metallic grains associated with other germanium minerals.
Is this morozeviczite?
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 morozeviczite with a known reference. Morozeviczite sits at Mohs 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: brownish gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Morozeviczite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Morozeviczite leaves dark gray, Renierite leaves blackish gray.
How to tell apart: Briartite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3.5); streak differs, so Morozeviczite leaves dark gray, Briartite leaves black.
Often found alongside morozeviczite
Minerals reported to co-occur with morozeviczite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₃GeS₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 6.62 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Dark gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific study
- Host rock
- In epigenetic veinlets and metasomatic replacement zones replacing sandstone and older sulfides, in brecciated sandstones underlying copper-bearing shales
Where rockhounds find morozeviczite
Classic worldwide localities
- Polkovice mine, near Legnica, Zechstein copper district, Lower Silesia, Poland (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In epigenetic veinlets and metasomatic replacement zones replacing sandstone and older sulfides, in brecciated sandstones underlying copper-bearing shales. If you start seeing marcasite, chalcopyrite, bornite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify morozeviczite?+
Where is morozeviczite found?+
Is morozeviczite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like morozeviczite?+
What minerals are found with morozeviczite?+
What kind of rock does morozeviczite form in?+
What is morozeviczite used for?+
Find morozeviczite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
