Erazoite is a very rare thallium-arsenic sulfosalt primarily found at the famous Allchar locality in North Macedonia. It typically occurs as small, pale yellow tabular crystals or crusts associated with other thallium minerals and realgar-orpiment deposits.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Resinous

Streak

Pale Yellow

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Erazoite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Resinous
Streak: Pale Yellow
Transparency: Translucent

No image

Is this erazoite?

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 erazoite with a known reference. Erazoite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Erazoite leaves a pale yellow streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Erazoite typically shows a resinous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, pale yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts, aggregates.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Realgar

Mohs 1.5-2

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Erazoite leaves pale yellow, Realgar leaves orange-red.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Erazoite leaves pale yellow, Orpiment leaves yellow.

Compare →

Often found alongside erazoite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Tl₄As₂S₅
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 4.8 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Pale Yellow
Streak: Pale Yellow
Luster: Resinous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Crusts, Aggregates
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find erazoite

Classic worldwide localities

Allchar, North Macedonia

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal deposits country, the host setting where erazoite typically forms. If you start seeing realgar, orpiment, lorandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crusts, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify erazoite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. It typically shows a resinous luster. The streak is pale yellow. Common colors include yellow, pale yellow.

Where is erazoite found?+

Notable localities include Allchar, North Macedonia.

How much is erazoite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is erazoite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains thallium and arsenic, both of which are highly toxic. Handle with care, wash hands after touching, and do not inhale dust. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like erazoite?+

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

What minerals are found with erazoite?+

Erazoite commonly co-occurs with Realgar, Orpiment, Lorandite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does erazoite form in?+

Erazoite typically forms in hydrothermal deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is erazoite used for?+

Erazoite is used in collector.

Find erazoite on the map

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