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, so Maldonite leaves black, Gold leaves golden yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Maldonite leaves black, Tellurobismuthite leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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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