Native tellurium is a rare metallic element that typically forms in hydrothermal gold deposits. Collectors look for its characteristic tin-white color and distinct hexagonal crystal habit, though it is often found as metallic masses within sulfide ores.
Is this native tellurium?
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 native tellurium with a known reference. Native Tellurium sits at Mohs 2-2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, grayish white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: columnar, massive.
Often confused with
Native Tellurium vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Native Tellurium leaves gray, Bismuth leaves pale silver.
How to tell apart: Arsenic is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs, so Native Tellurium leaves gray, Arsenic leaves tin-white; luster reads metallic on Native Tellurium and nearly metallic on Arsenic.
Often found alongside native tellurium
Minerals reported to co-occur with native tellurium. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Te
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 6.1-6.3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Columnar, massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {1010}, imperfect on {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In hydrothermal veins; may be of both primary and secondary origin; a sublimate in volcanic fumaroles
Where rockhounds find native tellurium
Classic worldwide localities
- Magnolia, Gold Hill, Ballarat, and Central districts, Boulder Co., Colorado, USA
- Vulcan mine, Gunnison Co., Colorado, USA
- Mohawk and Clermont mines, Goldfield district, Humboldt Co., and from Delamar, Lincoln Co., Nevada, USA
- Faţa Bǎii (Zlatna, Faczebaj) (type locality) and Baia-de-Arieş (Offenbánya), Romania
- Fossa volcano, Vulcano, Lipari Islands, Italy
- Tolbachik fissure volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In hydrothermal veins; may be of both primary and secondary origin; a sublimate in volcanic fumaroles. If you start seeing gold, sylvanite, empressite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: columnar, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify native tellurium?+
Where is native tellurium found?+
Is native tellurium safe to handle?+
What rocks look like native tellurium?+
What minerals are found with native tellurium?+
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What is native tellurium used for?+
Find native tellurium on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
