Mawsonite
A variety of Minerals
What is Mawsonite?
Mawsonite is a brownish orange sulfosalt mineral, containing copper, iron, tin, and sulfur: Cu6Fe2SnS8.
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Mawsonite before comparing listings or appraisals.
Size & Weight
Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.
Rarity & Demand
Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.
Condition & Finish
Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.
Treatment & Provenance
Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.
Mawsonite Localities Map
See where Mawsonite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.
Key Characteristics
Formation of Mawsonite
It was first described in 1965 for occurrences in the Royal George mine, Swinton, Tingha, Hardinge County, New South Wales; and the North Lyell mine, Mount Lyell Mine, Queenstown, Tasmania. It was named after Australian geologist and Antarctic explorer, Sir Douglas Mawson (1882–1958). It occurs within hydrothermal copper deposits in altered volcanic rocks. It also occurs in skarn deposits and as disseminations in altered granites. It occurs in association with bornite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, digenite, idaite, stannite, stannoidite, pyrrhotite, pentlandite, tennantite, enargite, luzonite–famatinite, kiddcreekite, mohite, native bismuth, galena and sphalerite.
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Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Brownish orange
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 3.5 - 4
- Density
- 4.65 g/cm³
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Cu6Fe2SnS8
- Elements
- Cu, Fe, S, Sn
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Mawsonite FAQs
How do I identify Mawsonite?
Mawsonite can be identified by its hardness of 3.5 - 4 on the Mohs scale, Brownish orange color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Mawsonite?
Mawsonite typically appears in Brownish orange. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Mawsonite?
Mawsonite has a hardness of 3.5 - 4 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.
What is the formation of mawsonite of Mawsonite?
It was first described in 1965 for occurrences in the Royal George mine, Swinton, Tingha, Hardinge County, New South Wales; and the North Lyell mine, Mount Lyell Mine, Queenstown, Tasmania. It was named after Australian geologist and Antarctic explorer, Sir Douglas Mawson (1882–1958). It occurs within hydrothermal copper deposits in altered volcanic rocks. It also occurs in skarn deposits and as disseminations in altered granites. It occurs in association with bornite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, digenite, idaite, stannite, stannoidite, pyrrhotite, pentlandite, tennantite, enargite, luzonite–famatinite, kiddcreekite, mohite, native bismuth, galena and sphalerite.
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