Raguinite is a very rare thallium-iron sulfide mineral typically found as small, dark metallic grains embedded within ore deposits. It is almost exclusively known from the unique Allchar locality in North Macedonia. Collectors prize it for its extreme rarity and its association with other rare thallium minerals.
Is this raguinite?
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 raguinite with a known reference. Raguinite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bronze.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, pseudo hexagonal.
Often confused with
Raguinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Pyrite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Raguinite leaves black, Pyrite leaves greenish black to brownish black.
How to tell apart: Marcasite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Raguinite leaves black, Marcasite leaves grayish or brownish black.
Often found alongside raguinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with raguinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- TlFeS₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 6.4 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals, pseudo hexagonal
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Formed in a hydrothermal deposit
Where rockhounds find raguinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Allchar, Macedonia, Yugoslavia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Formed in a hydrothermal deposit. If you start seeing pyrite, lorandite, orpiment in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, pseudo hexagonal. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find raguinite on the map
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