Eulytine is a rare bismuth silicate mineral typically found in hydrothermal veins associated with bismuth ores. It is most recognized for its distinct tetrahedral crystal habit and high luster, appearing in shades of yellow to brownish-grey.
Is this eulytine?
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 eulytine with a known reference. Eulytine sits at Mohs 4.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Eulytine leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Eulytine typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, gray, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: tetrahedral crystals, rounded dodecahedrons, massive.
Often confused with
Eulytine vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Eulytine leaves white, Sphalerite leaves white to yellow-brown; luster reads adamantine on Eulytine and resinous to submetallic on Sphalerite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads adamantine on Eulytine and vitreous on Scheelite.
How to tell apart: Eulytine is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Eulytine leaves white, Bismuthinite leaves lead-gray; luster reads adamantine on Eulytine and metallic on Bismuthinite.
Often found alongside eulytine
Minerals reported to co-occur with eulytine. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Bi₄(SiO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 6.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Tetrahedral Crystals, Rounded Dodecahedrons, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Bismuth-bearing Veins
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on crystal size and clarity
Where rockhounds find eulytine
Classic worldwide localities
- Schneeberg, Germany
- Johanngeorgenstadt, Germany
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal bismuth-bearing veins country — that is the host setting where eulytine typically forms. If you start seeing bismuth, bismutite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tetrahedral crystals, rounded dodecahedrons, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find eulytine on the map
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