Kuksite is a rare lead zinc tellurate phosphate mineral typically found in the oxidation zones of tellurium-bearing ore deposits. It occurs as small, delicate tabular crystals or crusts, often displaying a distinct yellow to greenish-yellow hue, and is highly sought after by advanced mineral collectors.
Is this kuksite?
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 kuksite with a known reference. Kuksite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular.
Often confused with
Kuksite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Kuksite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 3).
How to tell apart: Kuksite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Kuksite leaves white, Eztlite leaves orange; luster reads adamantine on Kuksite and pearly on Eztlite.
Often found alongside kuksite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kuksite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₃Zn₃TeO₆(PO₄)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 6.21 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent, transparent in thin fragments
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular
- Cleavage
- One, perfect
- Fluorescence
- Fluorescent
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A late-stage mineral in the oxidized zone of a tellurium-bearing gold deposit
Where rockhounds find kuksite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kuranakh gold deposit, near Aldan, Sakha, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A late-stage mineral in the oxidized zone of a tellurium-bearing gold deposit. If you start seeing cheremnykhite, si-rich dugganite, yafsoanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kuksite?+
Where is kuksite found?+
Is kuksite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like kuksite?+
What minerals are found with kuksite?+
What kind of rock does kuksite form in?+
What is kuksite used for?+
Find kuksite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
