Mayingite is a rare silver-lead bismuth telluride mineral found primarily in gold-bearing hydrothermal deposits. It is typically identified through polished section microscopy due to its small grain size and metallic white color.

Hardness

3-3.5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareSulfosalt family

Mayingite

Hardness: 3-3.5
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this mayingite?

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 mayingite with a known reference. Mayingite sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Mayingite leaves a black streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Mayingite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Galena

Mohs 2.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Mayingite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.

Often found alongside mayingite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ag₀.₅Pb₁.₅BiTe₂
Mohs hardness: 3-3.5
Density: 8.8 g/cm³
Colors: White Gray
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Anhedral Grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Gold Deposits
Typical price: $50-200 per micro-mount

Where rockhounds find mayingite

Classic worldwide localities

Maying, Hebei Province, China

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal gold deposits country, the host setting where mayingite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify mayingite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-3.5. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is black. Common colors include white, gray.

Where is mayingite found?+

Notable localities include Maying, Hebei Province, China.

How much is mayingite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-200 per micro-mount. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is mayingite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains tellurium and lead; avoid inhalation of dust and handle with caution. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like mayingite?+

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

What minerals are found with mayingite?+

Mayingite commonly co-occurs with Pyrite, Chalcopyrite, Galena, Tetradymite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does mayingite form in?+

Mayingite typically forms in hydrothermal gold deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is mayingite used for?+

Mayingite is used in collector.

Find mayingite on the map

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