What is Owyheeite?
Owyheeite is a silver-lead-antimony sulfosalt known from hydrothermal ore veins, where fine metallic crystals accompany galena and other sulfides.
Mineralogy and crystal structure
Reference formula: Ag3Pb10Sb11S28. Owyheeite has a complex monoclinic sulfosalt structure and variable natural compositions. Its metallic appearance is not enough for identification; assay and locality are important. Owyheeite is classified with sulfosalts and has a monoclinic crystal system. Typical hardness is 2.5–3 on the Mohs scale and specific gravity is approximately 5.9–6.2.
Colour, lustre and habit
Typical colours include steel-grey, black, silver-grey. The usual acicular, prismatic, massive habit and metallic lustre help describe a specimen, but colour alone is not diagnostic.
Formation and notable localities
Owyheeite forms in or is associated with low- to medium-temperature silver-lead-antimony hydrothermal veins. Important documented localities include Nevada and Idaho in the United States, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico and Europe.
A silver-bearing sulfosalt with a metallic edge
Owyheeite is a specialist ore mineral whose value is structural as well as economic. Its long sulfosalt framework records how silver, lead and antimony partition in a hydrothermal vein.
Collecting and care
Keep enclosed and avoid dust, cutting and acids; wash hands after handling and treat as an ore mineral.
