Tellurohauchecornite is a very rare sulfide mineral belonging to the hauchecornite group, characterized by its distinct bronze-yellow metallic appearance. It is typically found in nickel-copper sulfide ore deposits associated with other metallic sulfides. Collectors mainly prize it for its rarity and its place within the complex mineralogy of sulfide ore bodies.
Is this tellurohauchecornite?
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 tellurohauchecornite with a known reference. Tellurohauchecornite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: grayish 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: tetragonal. Typical habit: irregular grains.
Often confused with
Tellurohauchecornite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Hauchecornite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 4); streak differs, so Tellurohauchecornite leaves grayish black, Hauchecornite leaves gray-black; luster reads metallic on Tellurohauchecornite and lively metallic on fresh break on Hauchecornite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Tellurohauchecornite leaves grayish black, Bismutite leaves gray; luster reads metallic on Tellurohauchecornite and vitreous, waxy, may be dull to earthy on Bismutite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Tellurohauchecornite leaves grayish black, Pentlandite leaves pale bronze-brown.
Often found alongside tellurohauchecornite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tellurohauchecornite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ni₉BiTeS₈
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 6.50 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Grayish black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Irregular grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In hydrothermal Ni–Co–Cu sulfide veins
Where rockhounds find tellurohauchecornite
Classic worldwide localities
- Strathcona mine, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In hydrothermal Ni–Co–Cu sulfide veins. If you start seeing millerite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify tellurohauchecornite?+
Where is tellurohauchecornite found?+
Is tellurohauchecornite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like tellurohauchecornite?+
What minerals are found with tellurohauchecornite?+
What kind of rock does tellurohauchecornite form in?+
What is tellurohauchecornite used for?+
Find tellurohauchecornite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
