Honeaite is a rare gold thallium telluride that forms black irregular inclusions. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2015. It was first described from the Main Zone orebody, Eastern Goldfields province, Western Australia, Australia.

Hardness

1-2

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Yellowish-white

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Honeaite

Hardness: 1-2
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Yellowish-white
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this honeaite?

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 honeaite with a known reference. Honeaite sits at Mohs 1-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellowish-white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: irregular inclusions.

Often confused with

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

fossil

Amber

Mohs 2-2.5

How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Honeaite and resinous on Amber.

How to tell apart: Luster reads metallic on Honeaite and resinous on Copal.

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Often found alongside honeaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Au₃TlTe₂
Mohs hardness: 1-2
Density: 11.18 g/cm³
Colors: Black
Streak: Yellowish-white
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Irregular inclusions
Cleavage: None observed
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In microvugs and microfractures roughly following the metamorphic banding, mainly within areas of epidote and prehnite alteration (greenschist facies) of quartz amphibolite

Where rockhounds find honeaite

Classic worldwide localities

Main Zone orebody, Karonie gold deposit, Eastern Goldfields province, Western Australia, Australia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In microvugs and microfractures roughly following the metamorphic banding, mainly within areas of epidote and prehnite alteration (greenschist facies) of quartz amphibolite. If you start seeing gold, tellurobismuthite, molybdenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular inclusions. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify honeaite?+

Mohs hardness is 1-2. Luster: metallic. The streak is yellowish-white. Common colors include black.

Where is honeaite found?+

Notable localities include Main Zone orebody, Karonie gold deposit, Eastern Goldfields province, Western Australia, Australia.

Is honeaite safe to handle?+

Honeaite contains thallium and calls for real care. Contains thallium, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid creating dust.

What rocks look like honeaite?+

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

What minerals are found with honeaite?+

Honeaite commonly co-occurs with Gold, Tellurobismuthite, Molybdenite, Petzite, Hessite, Calaverite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does honeaite form in?+

Where it forms: In microvugs and microfractures roughly following the metamorphic banding, mainly within areas of epidote and prehnite alteration (greenschist facies) of quartz amphibolite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is honeaite used for?+

Honeaite is used in collector.

Find honeaite on the map

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