Moschellandsbergite is a rare silver-mercury amalgam found primarily in hydrothermal veins associated with mercury deposits. It typically occurs as small, silver-white dodecahedral crystals that quickly tarnish to a duller, yellowish-white surface upon exposure to air.
Is this moschellandsbergite?
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 moschellandsbergite with a known reference. Moschellandsbergite 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: metallic.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: bright metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: euhedral crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Moschellandsbergite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside moschellandsbergite
Minerals reported to co-occur with moschellandsbergite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ag₂Hg₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 13.48 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Metallic
- Luster
- Bright metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Euhedral crystals, massive
- Cleavage
- {011} and {001}, distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Probably of low-temperature hydrothermal origin
Where rockhounds find moschellandsbergite
Classic worldwide localities
- Gould-Curry mine, Comstock Lode, Virginia City, Storey Co., Nevada, USA
- Landsberg, near Obermoschel, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany (type locality)
- Sala, Västmanland, Sweden
- Chalanches mine, near Allemont, Isère, France
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Probably of low-temperature hydrothermal origin. If you start seeing metacinnabar, cinnabar, mercurian silver in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: euhedral crystals, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify moschellandsbergite?+
Where is moschellandsbergite found?+
Is moschellandsbergite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like moschellandsbergite?+
What minerals are found with moschellandsbergite?+
What kind of rock does moschellandsbergite form in?+
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Find moschellandsbergite on the map
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