Telluroperite is a rare secondary mineral found in lead-rich oxidizing zones, particularly famous from the ancient slag piles of Laurium. It typically forms thin, tabular, bluish green crystals and is highly prized by collectors for its extreme rarity and complex chemistry. Due to its lead content, specimens should be handled with care to prevent contact with mineral dust.
Is this telluroperite?
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 telluroperite with a known reference. Telluroperite 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: pale bluish green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bluish green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, platy aggregates.
Often confused with
Telluroperite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Telluroperite leaves pale bluish green, Perite leaves yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Telluroperite leaves pale bluish green, Laurionite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Telluroperite leaves pale bluish green, Fiedlerite leaves white.
Often found alongside telluroperite
Minerals reported to co-occur with telluroperite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₃TeO₄Cl₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 7.323 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale bluish green
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, platy aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary phase on fracture surfaces and in small vugs in quartz veins
Where rockhounds find telluroperite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bird Nest drift, southwest flank of Otto Mountain, ~2 km northwest of Baker, San Bernardino County, California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary phase on fracture surfaces and in small vugs in quartz veins. If you start seeing acanthite, bromine-rich chlorargyrite, caledonite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, platy aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify telluroperite?+
Where is telluroperite found?+
Is telluroperite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like telluroperite?+
What minerals are found with telluroperite?+
What kind of rock does telluroperite form in?+
What is telluroperite used for?+
Find telluroperite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
