Tewite is a rare potassium tellurium sulfate mineral found in oxidized zones of hydrothermal ore deposits. It typically forms thin, platy yellow crystals and is known primarily from the North Star mine in Utah. Collectors value it for its association with other rare tellurium-bearing secondary minerals.
Is this tewite?
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 tewite with a known reference. Tewite 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. Tewite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tewite typically shows a sub-adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular aggregates.
Often confused with
Tewite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Tewite leaves yellow, Tellurite leaves white; luster reads sub-adamantine on Tewite and adamantine on Tellurite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Tewite leaves yellow, Paratellurite leaves white; luster reads sub-adamantine on Tewite and adamantine on Paratellurite.
Often found alongside tewite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tewite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₆(TeO₃)₄(TeO₃)₂(SO₄)·nH₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 4.92 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Sub-adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Tabular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Tellurium-bearing Hydrothermal Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500+ per specimen
Where rockhounds find tewite
Classic worldwide localities
- North Star mine, Tintic District, Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized tellurium-bearing hydrothermal ore deposits country — that is the host setting where tewite typically forms. If you start seeing tellurite, paratellurite, emmonsite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, tabular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find tewite on the map
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