Chiluite is a rare bismuth tellurium molybdenum oxide, typically yellow. It occurs in quartz veins in a molybdenite deposit. Associated minerals include bismuthinite, molybdenite and cassiterite. It was first described from Chilu, Fujian Province, China.
Is this chiluite?
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 chiluite with a known reference. Chiluite sits at Mohs 3.2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: submetallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains, hexagonal, plumose.
Often confused with
Chiluite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Emmonsite is the harder of the two (Mohs ~5 vs. 3.2); streak differs, so Chiluite leaves yellow, Emmonsite leaves pale yellow; luster reads submetallic on Chiluite and vitreous on Emmonsite.
How to tell apart: Chiluite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.2 vs. 2); streak differs, so Chiluite leaves yellow, Tellurite leaves white; luster reads submetallic on Chiluite and subadamantine on Tellurite.
Often found alongside chiluite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chiluite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Bi₃Te⁶⁺Mo⁶⁺O₁₀.₅
- Mohs hardness
- 3.2
- Density
- 3.65 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains, hexagonal, plumose
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In quartz veins in a molybdenite deposit
Where rockhounds find chiluite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chilu, Fujian Province, China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In quartz veins in a molybdenite deposit. If you start seeing bismuthinite, molybdenite, joséite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, hexagonal, plumose. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find chiluite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
