Pararaisaite is an extremely rare copper tellurite mineral discovered in the Moctezuma mine of Mexico. It typically forms attractive blue to green bladed or radial crystal clusters that are highly sought after by mineral collectors specializing in rare tellurium species.

Hardness

2.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Pararaisaite

Hardness: 2.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this pararaisaite?

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 pararaisaite with a known reference. Pararaisaite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: blue.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed crystals, radial aggregates.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Teineite

Mohs 2.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Pararaisaite leaves white, Teineite leaves pale blue.

How to tell apart: Denningite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4 vs. 2.5); luster reads vitreous on Pararaisaite and adamantine on Denningite.

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Often found alongside pararaisaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: [Mg(H₂O)₆]CuTeO₄(OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 2.5
Density: 2.85 g/cm³
Colors: Blue
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Bladed crystals, radial aggregates
Cleavage: Perfect on {001}, good on {100}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: An oxidation-zone mineral in a hydrothermal polymetallic Au-Ag-Cu-Pb vein deposit in contact-metamorphosed dolomite

Where rockhounds find pararaisaite

Classic worldwide localities

North Star mine, Mammoth, Tintic district, Juab County, Utah, USA

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: An oxidation-zone mineral in a hydrothermal polymetallic Au-Ag-Cu-Pb vein deposit in contact-metamorphosed dolomite. If you start seeing barite, goldfieldite, malachite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: bladed crystals, radial aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify pararaisaite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include blue.

Where is pararaisaite found?+

Notable localities include North Star mine, Mammoth, Tintic district, Juab County, Utah, USA.

Is pararaisaite safe to handle?+

Pararaisaite contains copper. Contains copper and tellurium. Avoid inhalation of dust and wash hands thoroughly after handling specimens.

What rocks look like pararaisaite?+

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

What minerals are found with pararaisaite?+

Pararaisaite commonly co-occurs with Barite, Goldfieldite, Malachite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does pararaisaite form in?+

Where it forms: An oxidation-zone mineral in a hydrothermal polymetallic Au-Ag-Cu-Pb vein deposit in contact-metamorphosed dolomite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is pararaisaite used for?+

Pararaisaite is used in collector.

Find pararaisaite on the map

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