Kadyrelite is an extremely rare mercury halide mineral found in the oxidation zones of mercury deposits. It typically presents as dull orange, adamantine granular masses and is named after its type locality in the Kadyrel deposit in Russia.
Is this kadyrelite?
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 kadyrelite with a known reference. Kadyrelite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellow-orange.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dull orange, orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: granular.
Often confused with
Kadyrelite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Kadyrelite is noticeably harder (Mohs 2.5-3 vs. 1.5); streak differs, so Kadyrelite leaves yellow-orange, Calomel leaves pale yellowish white; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Kadyrelite and adamantine on Calomel.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kadyrelite leaves yellow-orange, Terlinguaite leaves lemon-yellow, turning olive-green; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Kadyrelite and brilliant adamantine on Terlinguaite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kadyrelite leaves yellow-orange, Eglestonite leaves yellow or greenish yellow, rapidly becoming black; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Kadyrelite and brilliant adamantine to resinous on Eglestonite.
Often found alongside kadyrelite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kadyrelite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ([Hg]₂)₃OBr₃(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 8.79 g/cm³
- Colors
- Dull orangeOrange
- Streak
- Yellow-orange
- Luster
- Vitreous to adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In cavities in carbonate veins in a mercury deposit
Where rockhounds find kadyrelite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kadyrel mercury deposit, Pii-Khem district, right bank of the Oorash-Khem River Valley, Tuva, Siberia, Russia (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In cavities in carbonate veins in a mercury deposit. If you start seeing eglestonite, calomel, kuzminite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find kadyrelite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
