Burckhardtite is a rare lead-iron tellurite-silicate mineral characterized by its distinctive platy habit and pearly luster. It is primarily found in the oxidized zones of tellurium-rich ore deposits, most notably at its type locality in the Moctezuma Mine of Mexico. Collectors should look for its thin, mica-like crystals associated with other rare tellurium secondary minerals.
Is this burckhardtite?
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 burckhardtite with a known reference. Burckhardtite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Burckhardtite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Burckhardtite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: platy or micaceous crystals.
Often confused with
Burckhardtite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Burckhardtite leaves yellow, Tellurite leaves white; luster reads pearly on Burckhardtite and adamantine on Tellurite.
How to tell apart: Emmonsite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Burckhardtite leaves yellow, Emmonsite leaves pale yellow; luster reads pearly on Burckhardtite and vitreous on Emmonsite.
Often found alongside burckhardtite
Minerals reported to co-occur with burckhardtite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂(Fe³⁺Te⁴⁺O₃)(Si₂Al)O₅(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 4.2-4.4 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy or Micaceous Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Tellurium-bearing Hydrothermal Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 thumbnail size
Where rockhounds find burckhardtite
Classic worldwide localities
- Moctezuma Mine, Sonora, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized tellurium-bearing hydrothermal ore deposits country, the host setting where burckhardtite typically forms. If you start seeing tellurite, emmonsite, rodalquilarite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy or micaceous crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find burckhardtite on the map
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