Rodalquilarite is a rare tellurium-bearing mineral first identified in the volcanic-hosted gold deposits of Rodalquilar, Spain. It typically forms attractive bright green acicular crystal sprays within oxidized ore zones. Because of its extreme rarity and very limited type locality, it is highly sought after by advanced mineral collectors.
Is this rodalquilarite?
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 rodalquilarite with a known reference. Rodalquilarite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: greenish yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: greasy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: emerald green, grass green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: encrustations, microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Rodalquilarite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Rodalquilarite leaves greenish yellow, Tellurite leaves white; luster reads greasy on Rodalquilarite and subadamantine on Tellurite.
How to tell apart: Emmonsite is the harder of the two (Mohs ~5 vs. 2-3); streak differs, so Rodalquilarite leaves greenish yellow, Emmonsite leaves pale yellow; luster reads greasy on Rodalquilarite and vitreous on Emmonsite.
Often found alongside rodalquilarite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rodalquilarite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- H₃Fe₂(TeO₃)₄Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 4.97-5.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Greenish yellow
- Luster
- Greasy
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Encrustations, microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- One, good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral formed in the zone of oxidation of tellurium-bearing precious metal deposits
Where rockhounds find rodalquilarite
Classic worldwide localities
- Joe and Grand Central mines, Tombstone, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
- Rodalquilar gold deposit, Almería Province, Spain
- Wendy open pit, El Indio-Tambo district, east of La Serena, Coquimbo, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral formed in the zone of oxidation of tellurium-bearing precious metal deposits. If you start seeing emmonsite, gold, alunite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: encrustations, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify rodalquilarite?+
Where is rodalquilarite found?+
Is rodalquilarite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like rodalquilarite?+
What minerals are found with rodalquilarite?+
What kind of rock does rodalquilarite form in?+
What is rodalquilarite used for?+
Find rodalquilarite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
