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 — 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 — 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 — that is 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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