Guide
Tetrahedrite specimens for sale
75 for sale · $80–$9,000 USD
248 in the gallery
Tetrahedrite is a copper antimony sulfosalt mineral that forms metallic, often prismatic to tabular crystals with a brilliant to submetallic lustre. The mineral commonly presents a dark grey to brownish copper colour and can occur as aggregates or intergrown crystals within hydrothermal veins and sulfide-rich deposits. Notable specimens come from classic localities in the USA, Peru, the UK, Romania and Germany, where high-quality, well-formed crystals are found in pockets and vug fillings. The mineral’s structure and habit yield striking, sometimes striated faces that can display a subtle bronzy sheen, making it a favorite for cabinet displays and micromounts.
- Formula
- Cu6(Cu4Ni2)Sb4S12S
- Rarity
- Common
- Stability
- Stable
- Collector interest
- Moderate Interest
- Classification notes
- Sulfosalt mineral (Cu–Sb–S system)
Key characteristics
- Crystal system
- isometric
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5–4.5
- Specific gravity
- 4.6–5.1
- Luster
- metallic, submetallic
- Transparency
- opaque
- Color
- gray, black, brown
- Streak
- black, brown, red
- Cleavage
- none
- Fracture
- subconchoidal, uneven
- Crystal habit
- dodecahedral, equant, granular, massive
- Classic / historic
Buy Tetrahedrite specimens
View all 75Where Tetrahedrite is found
Top localities
- Sweet Home Mine65 specimens
- Herodsfoot Mine25 specimens
- Casapalca Mine12 specimens
- Black Pine Mine9 specimens
- Cavnic8 specimens
- Casapalca7 specimens
- Huanzala Mine4 specimens
- Kellogg4 specimens
- Pachapaqui mining district4 specimens
- Beryozovsky4 specimens
Guides
All guides
Guide
Tetrahedrite from Huanzala Mine, Peru
Huanzala “tetrahedrite” is a locality where the collector’s label and the mineralogical reality need to be read together. In older collections, dealer stock, and specimen captions, the black, highly lustrous tetrahedral sulfosalt crystals…Read guide
Guide
Tetrahedrite from Cavnic Mine, Romania
Cavnic Mine, Romania — classic tetrahedrite from the Baia Mare district; sharp steel-gray crystals, Kapnik provenance, and large, lustrous pieces prized by col…Read guideAbout Tetrahedrite
Collectors prize tetrahedrite for its size, crystal form and the range of associated minerals it often accompanies, such as sphalerite, galena and pyrite. Detailed, well-crystallized specimens from famous mines offer a window into hydrothermal ore-forming processes and demonstrate the versatility of sulfosalt chemistry. In hand specimens and prepared slides, tetrahedrite provides visual interest through its metallic lustre, crystallographic geometry and the occasional occurrence of tetrahedral or complex polyhedral shapes that reveal the mineral’s intricate internal arrangement.
