Walfordite is an extremely rare tellurium mineral typically found as small, vibrant yellow to orange crusts or coatings in oxidized ore zones. Collectors usually seek it in micro-mounts, as it rarely forms large crystals; it is most famously identified by its high density and close association with other rare tellurite species.
Is this walfordite?
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 walfordite with a known reference. Walfordite 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. Walfordite leaves a pale yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Walfordite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-orange, orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: microcrystalline aggregates, granular crusts, pseudo-cubic crystals.
Often confused with
Walfordite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Walfordite leaves pale yellow, Eztlite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Walfordite and pearly on Eztlite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Walfordite leaves pale yellow, Quetzalcoatlite leaves yellow; luster reads adamantine on Walfordite and vitreous on Quetzalcoatlite.
Often found alongside walfordite
Minerals reported to co-occur with walfordite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe³⁺,Te⁴⁺,Mg)₃Te⁴⁺O₆·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 6.3-6.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale Yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Microcrystalline Aggregates, Granular Crusts, Pseudo-cubic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Tellurium-bearing Hydrothermal Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find walfordite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bingham, New Mexico, USA
- Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized tellurium-bearing hydrothermal ore deposits country, the host setting where walfordite typically forms. If you start seeing eztlite, quetzalcoatlite, tellurite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microcrystalline aggregates, granular crusts, pseudo-cubic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify walfordite?+
Where is walfordite found?+
How much is walfordite worth?+
Is walfordite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like walfordite?+
What minerals are found with walfordite?+
What kind of rock does walfordite form in?+
What is walfordite used for?+
Find walfordite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
