Maldonite is a rare intermetallic compound of gold and bismuth found primarily in hydrothermal quartz veins. It is notable for its distinct pinkish-white metallic luster, which quickly tarnishes to a duller yellow or brown when exposed to air.
Is this maldonite?
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 maldonite with a known reference. Maldonite 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. Maldonite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Maldonite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pinkish-white, silver-white, yellowish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or interstitial fillings.
Often confused with
Maldonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Maldonite leaves black, Gold leaves golden yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Maldonite leaves black, Tellurobismuthite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Maldonite leaves black, Tetradymite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside maldonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with maldonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Au₂Bi
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 15.7-16.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or Interstitial Fillings
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Quartz Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find maldonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Maldon, Victoria, Australia
- Saxony, Germany
- Ontario, Canada
- Siberia, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal quartz veins country — that is the host setting where maldonite typically forms. If you start seeing gold, bismuth, arsenopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or interstitial fillings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find maldonite on the map
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