Moschelite is a rare mercury iodide mineral typically found as earthy masses or coatings in mercury-rich hydrothermal deposits. It is notable for its high density and sensitivity to light, which can cause specimens to darken over time if not stored in a dark container.
Is this moschelite?
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 moschelite with a known reference. Moschelite 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. Moschelite leaves a yellowish white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Moschelite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, pale yellow, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive, crusts, coatings.
Often confused with
Moschelite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Moschelite leaves yellowish white, Cinnabar leaves scarlet; luster reads resinous on Moschelite and adamantine on Cinnabar.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Moschelite leaves yellowish white, Calomel leaves white; luster reads resinous on Moschelite and adamantine on Calomel.
Often found alongside moschelite
Minerals reported to co-occur with moschelite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Hg₂I₂
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 7.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish White
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Crusts, Coatings
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Mercury Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find moschelite
Classic worldwide localities
- Moschellandsberg, Germany
- Terlingua, Texas, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal mercury deposits country, the host setting where moschelite typically forms. If you start seeing cinnabar, mercury, calomel in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, crusts, coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find moschelite on the map
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