Miharaite is a very rare copper-lead-iron telluride mineral that typically occurs in metallic massive or granular forms. It is primarily identified from its type locality in Japan where it is found within complex hydrothermal vein systems alongside other telluride and sulfide minerals.
Is this miharaite?
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 miharaite with a known reference. Miharaite sits at Mohs 4-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Miharaite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Miharaite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, granular.
Often confused with
Miharaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Miharaite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4-5 vs. 2.5); streak differs — Miharaite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Miharaite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4-5 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs — Miharaite leaves black, Tetradymite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside miharaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with miharaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₄CuFeTe₃S₈
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 4.49 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300+ per specimen
Where rockhounds find miharaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mihara mine, Japan
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where miharaite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find miharaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
