Hedleyite is a rare bismuth telluride mineral typically found in massive, foliated or lamellar habits. It is distinguished by its distinct metallic tin-white color and perfect basal cleavage, often occurring in skarn environments with other tellurides.

Hardness

1.5-2

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Grey

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareTetradymite Group family

Hedleyite

Hardness: 1.5-2
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Grey
Transparency: Opaque

Is this hedleyite?

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 hedleyite with a known reference. Hedleyite sits at Mohs 1.5-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hedleyite leaves a grey streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Hedleyite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: tin-white, silver-white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive, lamellar, foliated.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Tetradymite

Mohs 1.5-2

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hedleyite leaves grey, Tetradymite leaves lead-gray.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hedleyite leaves grey, Tellurobismuthite leaves lead-gray.

Compare →

Often found alongside hedleyite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Bi₇Te₃
Mohs hardness: 1.5-2
Density: 8.9 g/cm³
Colors: Tin-white Silver-white
Streak: Grey
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Massive, Lamellar, Foliated
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Skarn Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen depending on size and association

Where rockhounds find hedleyite

Classic worldwide localities

Hedley, British Columbia, Canada
Gold Hill, Utah, USA
Berezovsk, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in skarn deposits country, the host setting where hedleyite typically forms. If you start seeing bismuthinite, gold, arsenopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, lamellar, foliated habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify hedleyite?+

Mohs hardness is 1.5-2. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is grey. Common colors include tin-white, silver-white.

Where is hedleyite found?+

Notable localities include Hedley, British Columbia, Canada; Gold Hill, Utah, USA; Berezovsk, Russia.

How much is hedleyite worth?+

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

Is hedleyite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains bismuth and tellurium; wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid inhaling dust. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like hedleyite?+

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

What minerals are found with hedleyite?+

Hedleyite commonly co-occurs with Bismuthinite, Gold, Arsenopyrite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does hedleyite form in?+

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

What is hedleyite used for?+

Hedleyite is used in collector.

Find hedleyite on the map

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