Henryite is a rare copper-silver telluride mineral typically found as microscopic inclusions within other telluride ores in epithermal gold deposits. It is best identified through polished section analysis using reflected light microscopy where it displays a distinct creamy white to pale yellow color. Specimens are primarily sourced from the telluride-rich mining districts of Colorado.
Is this henryite?
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 henryite with a known reference. Henryite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Henryite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside henryite
Minerals reported to co-occur with henryite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₄Ag₃Te₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 7.86 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains, microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Of hydrothermal origin, with other Cu–Ag tellurides
Where rockhounds find henryite
Classic worldwide localities
- Campbell mine, Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Of hydrothermal origin, with other Cu–Ag tellurides. If you start seeing hessite, petzite, sylvanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify henryite?+
Where is henryite found?+
Is henryite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like henryite?+
What minerals are found with henryite?+
What kind of rock does henryite form in?+
What is henryite used for?+
Find henryite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
