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 — Hedleyite leaves grey, Tetradymite leaves lead-gray.

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

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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 — that is 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.