mineral specimens
rare minerals
mineral dealer
systematic minerals
Black Hills minerals
fine minerals
mineral dealer
Dana minerals
IMA minerals
mineral collections
rock and minerals
gem crystal
0 item @ $0.00  

Mineralpedia Details for Polybasite

Reset

Polybasite

Polybasite

Named for the Greek poly, meaning “many,” and basis, meaning “base,” in reference to the presence of several metallic bases present in the composition. There are hundreds of localities for Polybasite. Occurs in low to medium temperature silver vein deposits often associated with Silver and Galena. Crystals silvery to grey with deep red internal reflections, thin tabular and pseudohexagonal.

Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/polybasite.pdf

Formula
Cu(Ag,Cu)6Ag9Sb2S11 
Crystal System
Monoclinic 
Crystal Habit
Massive - Granular, Granular, Pseudo Hexagonal 
Cleavage
Poor, None, None 
Luster
Sub Metallic 
Color
black, dark ruby red 
Streak
reddish black 
Class
Monoclinic - Prismatic 
Fracture
Uneven 
Hardness
2.5-3 
WebMineral
View Polybasite 
Mindat
View Polybasite 

Polybasite from Double Rainbow mine, Galena, Lawrence Co., South Dakota, United States

Polybasite
            from Double Rainbow mine, Galena, Lawrence Co., South Dakota, United States

Pseudohexagonal tablets of Polybasite, 1-1.5cm with deep red internal reflections.

Click thumbnail images for larger view.

Polybasite from Zaca mine, Alpine Co., California, United States

Polybasite
            from Zaca mine, Alpine Co., California, United States

Exceptional micro crystal of this rare sulfosalt to about 0.7mm.

Click thumbnail images for larger view.

Polybasite from San Juan de Rayas mine, Guanajuato, Mexico

Polybasite
            from San Juan de Rayas mine, Guanajuato, Mexico
Special Info
EDS Confirmed

Polybasite crystal with hexagonal form and nice "striations" in patterns that mimic the crystal shape. 

Click thumbnail images for larger view.

Polybasite from near Deer Lodge, Powell Co., Montana, United States

Polybasite
            from near Deer Lodge, Powell Co., Montana, United States
Special Info
EDS Confirmed

Good deep internally red hex-plates of Polybasite crystals to 1mm. Confirmed.

Click thumbnail images for larger view.

Polybasite from Cobalt-Gowganda dist., Ontario, Canada

Polybasite
            from Cobalt-Gowganda dist., Ontario, Canada
Special Info
EDS Confirmed

A crude Polybasite crystal, a bit roughed up, but showing red internal reflections.

Click thumbnail images for larger view.

Polybasite from Husky mine, Elsa, Galena Hill, Yukon, Canada

Polybasite
            from Husky mine, Elsa, Galena Hill, Yukon, Canada

A superb platy, iridescent plate of pseudo-hexagonal crystal group to 1.2cm across. Overall the specimen is 1.7cm.

Click thumbnail images for larger view.

Polybasite from Fresnillo, Zacatacas, Mexico

Polybasite
            from Fresnillo, Zacatacas, Mexico

Silvery, deeply "striated" crystal of Polybasite.

Click thumbnail images for larger view.

All photos by Dakota Matrix and are Copyrighted © and may not be used without permission. Copyright © 2025 - Dakota Matrix Minerals, Inc. Privacy | Terms & Conditions | Site Map