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 — Moschelite leaves yellowish white, Cinnabar leaves scarlet; luster reads resinous on Moschelite and adamantine on Cinnabar.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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
How do you identify moschelite?+
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Find moschelite on the map
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