Saddlebackite is a rare lead bismuth telluride, typically gray to black. It occurs as small grains in a lateritic orebody within a greenstone belt. It was first described from the Boddington gold deposit, Saddleback greenstone belt, Western Australia. Positive identification needs polished-section microscopy or X-ray diffraction, since it looks much like other bismuth tellurides.
Is this saddlebackite?
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 saddlebackite with a known reference. Saddlebackite 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. Saddlebackite leaves a blackish gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Saddlebackite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains, inclusions.
Often confused with
Saddlebackite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside saddlebackite
Minerals reported to co-occur with saddlebackite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂Bi₂Te₂S₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 7.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- Blackish Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Inclusions
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Quartz Veins
Where rockhounds find saddlebackite
Classic worldwide localities
- Saddleback, New South Wales, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal quartz veins country, the host setting where saddlebackite typically forms. If you start seeing gold, tellurobismuthite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, inclusions habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify saddlebackite?+
Where is saddlebackite found?+
Is saddlebackite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like saddlebackite?+
What minerals are found with saddlebackite?+
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Find saddlebackite on the map
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