Leisingite is an extremely rare copper magnesium tellurate mineral discovered in oxidized tellurium ores. It typically presents as small, yellow, platy crystals forming thin coatings or clusters on host rock, making it a prized specimen for advanced micromounters.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous, may be satiny or frosted

Streak

Pale yellow

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrare

Leisingite

Hardness: 3-4
Luster: Vitreous, may be satiny or frosted
Streak: Pale yellow
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

Is this leisingite?

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 leisingite with a known reference. Leisingite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale yellow.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, may be satiny or frosted.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish orange.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, platy.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside leisingite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Cu₂MgTeO₆·6H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 3.41 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Yellowish orange
Streak: Pale yellow
Luster: Vitreous, may be satiny or frosted
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Microscopic crystals, platy
Cleavage: {001}, perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A very rare secondary mineral in dump material from the oxidized zone of a tellurium-bearing Cu–Au–Ag deposit

Where rockhounds find leisingite

Classic worldwide localities

Centennial Eureka mine, Tintic district, Juab Co., Utah, USA

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A very rare secondary mineral in dump material from the oxidized zone of a tellurium-bearing Cu–Au–Ag deposit. If you start seeing quartz, jensenite, cesbronite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, platy. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify leisingite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. Luster: vitreous, may be satiny or frosted. The streak is pale yellow. Common colors include yellow, yellowish orange.

Where is leisingite found?+

Notable localities include Centennial Eureka mine, Tintic district, Juab Co., Utah, USA.

Is leisingite safe to handle?+

Leisingite contains copper. Contains copper and tellurium; wash hands after handling and avoid inhaling dust.

What rocks look like leisingite?+

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

What minerals are found with leisingite?+

Leisingite commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Jensenite, Cesbronite, Hematite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does leisingite form in?+

Where it forms: A very rare secondary mineral in dump material from the oxidized zone of a tellurium-bearing Cu–Au–Ag deposit. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is leisingite used for?+

Leisingite is used in collector.

Find leisingite on the map

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