Timroseite is a rare copper tellurite mineral discovered in the oxidized zones of tellurium-rich ore bodies. It typically forms dark green to black tabular crystals and is highly prized by micromounters and advanced collectors for its rarity and distinct chemical composition.
Is this timroseite?
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 timroseite with a known reference. Timroseite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: very pale yellowish green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: dull to adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: olive, lime-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, subparallel aggregates.
Often confused with
Timroseite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Tsumcorite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Timroseite leaves very pale yellowish green, Tsumcorite leaves yellow; luster reads dull to adamantine on Timroseite and vitreous on Tsumcorite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Timroseite leaves very pale yellowish green, Teineite leaves pale blue; luster reads dull to adamantine on Timroseite and vitreous on Teineite.
Often found alongside timroseite
Minerals reported to co-occur with timroseite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂Cu₅(TeO₆)₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 6.982 g/cm³
- Colors
- OliveLime-green
- Streak
- Very pale yellowish green
- Luster
- Dull to adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, subparallel aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary phase on fracture surfaces and in small vugs in quartz veins
Where rockhounds find timroseite
Classic worldwide localities
- Aga mine and the Bird Nest drift, southwest flank of Otto Mountain, ~2 km northwest of Baker, San Bernardino County, California, USA
- Vesley mine, Granite Gap, Hidalgo County, New Mexico, 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, cerussite, bromine-rich chlorargyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, subparallel aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find timroseite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
