Ralphcannonite is a rare silver zinc thallium sulfosalt, typically black. Associated minerals include hatchite, realgar and baryte. It was first described from Lengenbach quarry, Binn Valley, Wallis, Switzerland.
Is this ralphcannonite?
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 ralphcannonite with a known reference. Ralphcannonite sits at Mohs 2-2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ralphcannonite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ralphcannonite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Ralphcannonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Stannite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs, so Ralphcannonite leaves black, Stannite leaves blackish.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ralphcannonite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ralphcannonite leaves black, Bournonite leaves steel-gray; luster reads metallic on Ralphcannonite and dull on Bournonite.
Often found alongside ralphcannonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ralphcannonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- AgZn₂TlAs₂S₆
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 4.927 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Epithermal Deposits
Where rockhounds find ralphcannonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Allchar, North Macedonia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal epithermal deposits country, the host setting where ralphcannonite typically forms. If you start seeing lorandite, realgar, orpiment in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ralphcannonite?+
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What rocks look like ralphcannonite?+
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Find ralphcannonite on the map
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