Chenguodaite is a rare silver iron telluride. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2004, from material found at the Bunan deposit, Shandong Province, China.

Hardness

2-3

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Chenguodaite

Chenguodaite is a rare silver iron telluride. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2004, from material found at the Bunan deposit, Shandong Province, China.

Hardness: 2-3
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

Is this chenguodaite?

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 chenguodaite with a known reference. Chenguodaite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: silver-white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: irregular grains.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Hessite

Mohs 2-3

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Chenguodaite leaves black, Hessite leaves light gray.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Chenguodaite leaves black, Tellurobismuthite leaves pale lead-gray.

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Often found alongside chenguodaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ag₉FeTe₂S₄
Mohs hardness: 2-3
Density: 7.94 g/cm³
Colors: Silver-white
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Irregular grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Occurs in high grade Au-Ag-Cu ores

Where rockhounds find chenguodaite

Classic worldwide localities

Bunan deposit, Shandong Province, Peoples Republic of China (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Occurs in high grade Au-Ag-Cu ores. If you start seeing pyrite, galena, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify chenguodaite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-3. Luster: metallic. The streak is black. Common colors include silver-white.

Where is chenguodaite found?+

Notable localities include Bunan deposit, Shandong Province, Peoples Republic of China (type locality).

Is chenguodaite safe to handle?+

Contains tellurium, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid creating dust.

What rocks look like chenguodaite?+

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

What minerals are found with chenguodaite?+

Chenguodaite commonly co-occurs with Pyrite, Galena, Chalcopyrite, Gold. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does chenguodaite form in?+

Where it forms: Occurs in high grade Au-Ag-Cu ores. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is chenguodaite used for?+

Chenguodaite is used in collector.

Find chenguodaite on the map

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