Bairdite is a very rare lead manganese tellurite mineral discovered at the Otto Mountain locality. It typically occurs as minute, thin tabular yellow crystals within vugs of oxidized ore, often requiring magnification for proper identification.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Bairdite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this bairdite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch bairdite with a known reference. Bairdite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bairdite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Bairdite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, pale yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

Bairdite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Bairdite and adamantine on Mimetite.

Compare →

Often found alongside bairdite

Minerals reported to co-occur with bairdite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Pb₂Mn₃TeO₈(OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 4.21 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Pale Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect On {001}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Oxidized Tellurium-bearing Ore Veins
Typical price: $500-2000 per specimen

Where rockhounds find bairdite

Classic worldwide localities

Otto Mountain, San Bernardino County, California, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in oxidized tellurium-bearing ore veins country — that is the host setting where bairdite typically forms. If you start seeing dugganite, quetzalcoatlite, teineite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify bairdite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, pale yellow.

Where is bairdite found?+

Notable localities include Otto Mountain, San Bernardino County, California, USA.

How much is bairdite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $500-2000 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is bairdite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains lead, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Handle with care and wash hands after contact. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like bairdite?+

Bairdite is most often confused with Calcite, Mimetite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with bairdite?+

Bairdite commonly co-occurs with dugganite, quetzalcoatlite, teineite, frankhawthorneite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does bairdite form in?+

Bairdite typically forms in oxidized tellurium-bearing ore veins. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is bairdite used for?+

Bairdite is used in collector.

Find bairdite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.