Kinichilite is a rare iron tellurite mineral that typically forms distinct, thin hexagonal yellow plates. It is primarily found in the oxidized zones of tellurium-rich ore deposits, often appearing as coatings or radial sprays in rock cavities.
Is this kinichilite?
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 kinichilite with a known reference. Kinichilite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Kinichilite leaves a pale yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kinichilite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: hexagonal plates, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Kinichilite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kinichilite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kinichilite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe³⁺₂Te³⁺₃O₉·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 4.26 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Hexagonal Plates, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Tellurium-bearing Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find kinichilite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kawazu mine, Japan
- Moctezuma, Mexico
- Tombstone, Arizona
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized tellurium-bearing hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where kinichilite typically forms. If you start seeing tellurite, paratellurite, quetzalcoatlite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a hexagonal plates, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find kinichilite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
