Carlinite is a rare thallium sulfide mineral typically found as microscopic inclusions within gold-bearing sediment deposits. It is best known as a type-locality mineral from the Carlin trend in Nevada, where it was first identified through electron microprobe analysis. Due to its extreme rarity and toxicity, it is almost exclusively held in research-grade mineral collections.
Is this carlinite?
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 carlinite with a known reference. Carlinite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Carlinite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Carlinite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale yellow, yellow-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: microscopic grains, anhedral masses.
Often confused with
Carlinite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Carlinite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. 1.5-2); luster reads metallic on Carlinite and resinous on Orpiment.
How to tell apart: Carlinite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs — Carlinite leaves yellow, Realgar leaves orange-red; luster reads metallic on Carlinite and resinous on Realgar.
How to tell apart: Carlinite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. 2); streak differs — Carlinite leaves yellow, Stibnite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside carlinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with carlinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Tl₂S
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 7.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic Grains, Anhedral Masses
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Gold-bearing Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- expensive and rarely available to private collectors
Where rockhounds find carlinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Carlin Mine, Nevada, USA
- Getchell Mine, Nevada, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary gold-bearing ore deposits country — that is the host setting where carlinite typically forms. If you start seeing orpiment, realgar, stibnite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microscopic grains, anhedral masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find carlinite on the map
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