Magnolite is an exceptionally rare mercury tellurite mineral typically found as delicate, white needle-like crystals or radiating tufts. It is primarily associated with the oxidation zones of tellurium-rich ore deposits, making it a highly sought-after prize for micro-mineral collectors.
Is this magnolite?
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 magnolite with a known reference. Magnolite sits at Mohs 1.5-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine, silky in aggregates.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, yellow green, light brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, radiating sprays, tufts.
Often confused with
Magnolite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Emmonsite is the harder of the two (Mohs ~5 vs. 1.5-2); luster reads adamantine, silky in aggregates on Magnolite and vitreous on Emmonsite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Magnolite leaves pale brown, Tellurite leaves white; luster reads adamantine, silky in aggregates on Magnolite and subadamantine on Tellurite.
Often found alongside magnolite
Minerals reported to co-occur with magnolite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Hg₂TeO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 8.12 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale brown
- Luster
- Adamantine, silky in aggregates
- Transparency
- Transparent to opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular crystals, radiating sprays, tufts
- Cleavage
- {001}, perfect; ⊥ {001}, good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A late alteration product of coloradoite, formed at low temperature and oxygen fugacity, in the oxidized zone of complex polymetallic hydrothermal mineral deposits
Where rockhounds find magnolite
Classic worldwide localities
- Keystone and Mountain Lion mines, Magnolia district, Boulder Co., Colorado, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A late alteration product of coloradoite, formed at low temperature and oxygen fugacity, in the oxidized zone of complex polymetallic hydrothermal mineral deposits. If you start seeing mercury, coloradoite, tellurite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular crystals, radiating sprays, tufts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find magnolite on the map
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