Clinoungemachite is a rare tellurate mineral typically found as small, translucent yellow tabular crystals or granular aggregates within oxidized ore zones. Collectors look for it in association with other rare tellurates in specific arid mining districts, where it forms as a secondary mineral.
Is this clinoungemachite?
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 clinoungemachite with a known reference. Clinoungemachite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Clinoungemachite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Clinoungemachite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Clinoungemachite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Clinoungemachite leaves yellow, Ungemachite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Clinoungemachite and vitreous on Ungemachite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Clinoungemachite leaves yellow, Bottinoite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Clinoungemachite and vitreous on Bottinoite.
Often found alongside clinoungemachite
Minerals reported to co-occur with clinoungemachite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₃TeO₆·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 6.8-7.2 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Tellurium-bearing Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find clinoungemachite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ungemach mine, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized tellurium-bearing ore deposits country — that is the host setting where clinoungemachite typically forms. If you start seeing ungemachite, quetzalcoatlite, leisingite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify clinoungemachite?+
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Find clinoungemachite on the map
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