Copper antimony sulfide and the most common fahlore mineral. Important copper ore in some deposits. Color: Steel-gray to black. Luster: Metallic to submetallic. Streak: Dark red to black. Cleavage: None. Hardness: 3-4.5. Transparency: Opaque. Crystal system: Isometric Cubic. Chemical formula: Cu₁₂Sb₄S₁₃. Specific gravity: 4.6-5.1. Formation: Forms in hydrothermal veins at low to moderate temperatures in polymetallic ore systems. Common geological settings: Worldwide; found in copper-lead-zinc hydrothermal veins. Common look-alikes and related entries: Tennantite, Sphalerite, Bornite. Specimen safety: Keep this antimony-bearing specimen intact. Do not cut, grind, polish, streak, lick, heat, or use acid on it. Avoid creating or breathing dust or fumes, wash your hands with soap and water after handling, and keep it away from food, children, and pets.
These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.
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GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T14:37:52.740112+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
IMA–CNMNC List of Mineral Names — International Mineralogical Association. Official mineral-name, nomenclature, and classification records.
Mineral ID Key — Mineralogical Society of America. Physical-property identification methods, repeat-testing guidance, and limitations.
Antimony — CDC/NIOSH. Official occupational-hazard, exposure-route, symptom, and protective-equipment information for antimony.
Copper antimony sulfide and the most common fahlore mineral. Important copper ore in some deposits.
How can you identify Tetrahedrite?
Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records colour: Steel-gray to black; lustre: Metallic to submetallic; streak: Dark red to black; Mohs hardness: 3-4.5; cleavage: None; crystal system: Isometric Cubic; transparency: Opaque. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.
How does Tetrahedrite form?
Forms in hydrothermal veins at low to moderate temperatures in polymetallic ore systems.
Where is Tetrahedrite commonly found?
Worldwide; found in copper-lead-zinc hydrothermal veins.
Is Tetrahedrite safe to handle?
Keep this antimony-bearing specimen intact. Do not cut, grind, polish, streak, lick, heat, or use acid on it. Avoid creating or breathing dust or fumes, wash your hands with soap and water after handling, and keep it away from food, children, and pets. Avoid creating dust or using destructive tests on an unknown specimen, and follow site-specific safety procedures.
What is Tetrahedrite commonly confused with?
Tetrahedrite may be confused with Tennantite, Sphalerite, Bornite. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.
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