Paratellurite is the tetragonal polymorph of tellurium dioxide, typically found as tiny, transparent, adamantine prismatic crystals in the oxidation zones of tellurium-rich ore deposits. It is highly valued by mineral collectors for its rarity and its distinct association with other secondary tellurium minerals.
Is this paratellurite?
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 paratellurite with a known reference. Paratellurite sits at Mohs 1, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: resinous to waxy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: grayish white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, acicular, granular.
Often confused with
Paratellurite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Tellurite is the harder of the two (Mohs 2 vs. 1); luster reads resinous to waxy on Paratellurite and subadamantine on Tellurite.
How to tell apart: Quartz is the harder of the two (Mohs 7 vs. 1); luster reads resinous to waxy on Paratellurite and vitreous; waxy to dull when massive on Quartz.
Often found alongside paratellurite
Minerals reported to co-occur with paratellurite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- TeO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 1
- Density
- 5.60 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Resinous to waxy
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals, acicular, granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As thin seams in tellurium from a hydrothermal Au–Te deposit (Moctezuma mine, Mexico)
Where rockhounds find paratellurite
Classic worldwide localities
- Joe Shaft, Tombstone, and in the Campbell mine, Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
- Klondyke mine, Saguache Co., and the Last Chance mine, Boulder Co., Colorado, USA
- Silver King mine, Ward district, White Pine Co., Nevada, USA
- Cananea, but undoubtedly originated from the nearby Moctezuma (Bambolla) mine, 12 km south of Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico
- Kawazu mine, three km north of Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
- Salmchâteau, near Ottré, Belgium
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As thin seams in tellurium from a hydrothermal Au–Te deposit (Moctezuma mine, Mexico). If you start seeing tellurite, tellurium, krennerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, acicular, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify paratellurite?+
Where is paratellurite found?+
Is paratellurite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like paratellurite?+
What minerals are found with paratellurite?+
What kind of rock does paratellurite form in?+
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Find paratellurite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
