Inaglyite is a rare lead copper telluride mineral found primarily in epithermal gold-telluride deposits. It typically occurs as small, metallic inclusions within larger ore minerals and is prized by advanced micromount collectors due to its scarcity.
Is this inaglyite?
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 inaglyite with a known reference. Inaglyite sits at Mohs 5.5, 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: steel gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Inaglyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Inaglyite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5.5 vs. 2.5-2.75); streak differs, so Inaglyite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Inaglyite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5.5 vs. 3).
How to tell apart: Inaglyite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5.5 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs, so Inaglyite leaves black, Tetradymite leaves pale steel-gray.
Often found alongside inaglyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with inaglyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbCu₃Ir₈S₁₆
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 8.8-9.2 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- In two directions
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- With other platinum group minerals in ultramafic intrusives
Where rockhounds find inaglyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Inaglyi massif, Aldan region, Sakha (type locality), and the Aleksandrov Log platinum deposit, Mt. Solov’eva, Nizhni Tagil massif, Ural Mountains, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: With other platinum group minerals in ultramafic intrusives. If you start seeing isoferroplatinum, erlichmanite, malanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find inaglyite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
