Picotpaulite is a very rare thallium-iron selenide mineral known primarily from its type locality at the Jas-Roux deposit in France. It typically appears as tiny, metallic bronze to copper-red grains embedded in a sulfide-selenide matrix.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Picotpaulite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this picotpaulite?

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 picotpaulite with a known reference. Picotpaulite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: bronze.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, platy, pseudo hexagonal.

Often found alongside picotpaulite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: TlFeFeS₃
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 5.2 g/cm³
Colors: Bronze
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Microscopic crystals, platy, pseudo hexagonal
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In a hydrothermal ore deposit with other arsenic and thallium minerals

Where rockhounds find picotpaulite

Classic worldwide localities

Alšar (Allchar), near Rošden, Macedonia (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In a hydrothermal ore deposit with other arsenic and thallium minerals. If you start seeing realgar, lorandite, raguinite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, platy, pseudo hexagonal. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify picotpaulite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. Luster: metallic. The streak is black. Common colors include bronze.

Where is picotpaulite found?+

Notable localities include Alšar (Allchar), near Rošden, Macedonia (type locality).

Is picotpaulite safe to handle?+

Picotpaulite contains thallium and calls for real care. Contains thallium and selenium; handle with gloves and avoid creating or inhaling dust, as both elements are highly toxic.

What minerals are found with picotpaulite?+

Picotpaulite commonly co-occurs with Realgar, Lorandite, Raguinite, Pyrite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does picotpaulite form in?+

Where it forms: In a hydrothermal ore deposit with other arsenic and thallium minerals. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is picotpaulite used for?+

Picotpaulite is used in collector.

Find picotpaulite on the map

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