Coyoteite is a very rare sulfide mineral found as small, black, platy crystals. It is primarily known from the Coyote Peak diatreme in California where it occurs in vugs within alkaline igneous rocks. Collectors typically find it associated with other sulfide minerals in small, specialized mineralogical collections.
Is this coyoteite?
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 coyoteite with a known reference. Coyoteite sits at Mohs 1.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Coyoteite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Coyoteite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Coyoteite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside coyoteite
Minerals reported to co-occur with coyoteite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaFe₃S₄·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5
- Density
- 4.41 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find coyoteite
Classic worldwide localities
- Coyote Peak, California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where coyoteite typically forms. If you start seeing magnetite, pyrite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find coyoteite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
