Sonoraite is a rare tellurium mineral that typically occurs as vibrant green, bladed crystals or radial sprays within oxidized ore zones. It is a secondary mineral commonly found in association with other rare tellurite species in specific localities like Sonora, Mexico. Collectors prize it for its unique habit and striking color, though it is usually found only in small, delicate clusters.
Is this sonoraite?
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 sonoraite with a known reference. Sonoraite sits at Mohs ~3, 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: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy, striated.
Often confused with
Sonoraite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Sonoraite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~3 vs. 2); luster reads vitreous on Sonoraite and subadamantine on Tellurite.
How to tell apart: Denningite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4 vs. ~3); luster reads vitreous on Sonoraite and adamantine on Denningite.
Often found alongside sonoraite
Minerals reported to co-occur with sonoraite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe³⁺Te⁴⁺O₃(OH)·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~3
- Density
- 3.95 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy, striated
- Cleavage
- Perfect in one direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A very rare mineral in the oxide zone of a hydrothermal Au–Te ore deposit (Moctezuma mine, Mexico)
Where rockhounds find sonoraite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mohawk mine, Goldfield, Esmeralda Co., Nevada, USA
- Joe shaft, near Tombstone, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
- Wilcox district, Catron Co., New Mexico, USA
- Good Hope mine, Vulcan district, Gunnison Co., and the Hoosier mine, Cripple Creek district, Teller Co, Colorado, USA
- Moctezuma (Bambolla) mine, 12 km south of Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A very rare mineral in the oxide zone of a hydrothermal Au–Te ore deposit (Moctezuma mine, Mexico). If you start seeing emmonsite, anglesite, limonite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy, striated. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify sonoraite?+
Where is sonoraite found?+
Is sonoraite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like sonoraite?+
What minerals are found with sonoraite?+
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Find sonoraite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
