Salzburgite is a rare sulfosalt mineral primarily found in hydrothermal veins within the Austrian Alps. It typically appears as fine, metallic, needle-like crystals or fibrous masses, often closely associated with other lead-bismuth sulfosalts.

Hardness

2-3

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Grayish black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareAikinite-Bismutinite Group family

Salzburgite

Hardness: 2-3
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Grayish black
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this salzburgite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch salzburgite with a known reference. Salzburgite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: grayish black.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: light gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: aggregates, columnar.

Often confused with

Salzburgite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Salzburgite leaves grayish black, Bournonite leaves steel-gray to iron-black; luster reads metallic on Salzburgite and brilliant to dull on Bournonite.

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Often found alongside salzburgite

Minerals reported to co-occur with salzburgite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Cu₁.₆Pb₁.₆Bi₆.₄S₁₂
Mohs hardness: 2-3
Density: 6.904 g/cm³
Colors: Light gray
Streak: Grayish black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Aggregates, columnar
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In quartz veins cutting a metamorphosed (upper greenschist to lower amphibolite facies) scheelite deposit

Where rockhounds find salzburgite

Classic worldwide localities

Felbertal scheelite deposit, Hohe Tauern, about 10 km south of Mittersill, Salzburg province, Austria

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In quartz veins cutting a metamorphosed (upper greenschist to lower amphibolite facies) scheelite deposit. If you start seeing gladite-krupkaite, pavonite, makovickyite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, columnar. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify salzburgite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-3. Luster: metallic. The streak is grayish black. Common colors include light gray.

Where is salzburgite found?+

Notable localities include Felbertal scheelite deposit, Hohe Tauern, about 10 km south of Mittersill, Salzburg province, Austria.

Is salzburgite safe to handle?+

Salzburgite contains copper and lead. Contains lead, copper, bismuth, and antimony; handle with care and wash hands thoroughly after contact.

What rocks look like salzburgite?+

Salzburgite is most often confused with Aikinite, Bournonite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with salzburgite?+

Salzburgite commonly co-occurs with Gladite-krupkaite, Pavonite, Makovickyite, Cosalite, Cannizzarite, Tetradymite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does salzburgite form in?+

Where it forms: In quartz veins cutting a metamorphosed (upper greenschist to lower amphibolite facies) scheelite deposit. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is salzburgite used for?+

Salzburgite is used in collector.

Find salzburgite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.