Bilibinskite is a very rare gold-copper-lead telluride found primarily in epithermal gold deposits. It typically occurs as microscopic anhedral grains or inclusions within other minerals and is highly prized by collectors of rare telluride species.
Is this bilibinskite?
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 bilibinskite with a known reference. Bilibinskite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bilibinskite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bilibinskite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brass-yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, inclusions.
Often confused with
Bilibinskite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Bilibinskite leaves black, Gold leaves golden yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Bilibinskite leaves black, Calaverite leaves yellowish-green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Bilibinskite leaves black, Petzite leaves iron-black.
Often found alongside bilibinskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bilibinskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Au₃Cu₂PbTe₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 11.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Inclusions
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Epithermal Gold-telluride Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per small specimen
Where rockhounds find bilibinskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bilibino, Russia
- Kyzyl-Tashtyag, Russia
- Aginskoe, Russia
- Hishikari, Japan
Field-hunting tip
Look in epithermal gold-telluride deposits country — that is the host setting where bilibinskite typically forms. If you start seeing gold, galena, tellurobismuthite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, inclusions habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bilibinskite?+
Where is bilibinskite found?+
How much is bilibinskite worth?+
Is bilibinskite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like bilibinskite?+
What minerals are found with bilibinskite?+
What kind of rock does bilibinskite form in?+
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Find bilibinskite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
