Backite is a rare lead tellurite mineral discovered in the oxidized zones of tellurium-bearing ore deposits. Collectors typically search for its small, yellow tabular crystals or crusts, usually found alongside other secondary lead and tellurium minerals. It is considered a significant find for advanced mineralogists focusing on rare tellurides.
Is this backite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch backite with a known reference. Backite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Backite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Backite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, encrustations.
Often confused with
Backite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Backite leaves yellowish-white, Wulfenite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Backite and resinous on Wulfenite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Backite leaves yellowish-white, Mimetite leaves white.
Often found alongside backite
Minerals reported to co-occur with backite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂TeO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 7.5-7.7 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-white
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Encrustations
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Telluride Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500+ for micro-specimens
Where rockhounds find backite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tombstone, Arizona (USA)
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized telluride deposits country — that is the host setting where backite typically forms. If you start seeing cerussite, emmonsite, tellurite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, encrustations habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find backite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
