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. Raguinite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Raguinite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, small grains.
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 — 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 — Raguinite leaves black, Marcasite leaves greyish-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
- 5.45 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Small Grains
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Arsenic-thallium Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 depending on specimen size and rarity
Where rockhounds find raguinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Allchar deposit, North Macedonia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal arsenic-thallium deposits country — that is the host setting where raguinite typically forms. If you start seeing lorandite, realgar, orpiment in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, small grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify raguinite?+
Where is raguinite found?+
How much is raguinite worth?+
Is raguinite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like raguinite?+
What minerals are found with raguinite?+
What kind of rock does raguinite form in?+
What is raguinite used for?+
Find raguinite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
