Yafsoanite is a rare tellurite mineral belonging to the garnet structural group, typically occurring as small dodecahedral crystals. It is primarily found in unique, tellurium-rich hydrothermal environments and is highly sought after by advanced collectors for its complex chemistry.

Hardness

5.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareGarnet Group family

Yafsoanite

Hardness: 5.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this yafsoanite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch yafsoanite with a known reference. Yafsoanite sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Yafsoanite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Yafsoanite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-green, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals, massive.

Often confused with

Yafsoanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Garnet

Mohs 6.5-7.5

How to tell apart: Garnet is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7.5 vs. 5.5).

How to tell apart: Yafsoanite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5.5 vs. 2); luster reads vitreous on Yafsoanite and adamantine on Tellurite.

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Often found alongside yafsoanite

Minerals reported to co-occur with yafsoanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₃Te₆O₁₈
Mohs hardness: 5.5
Density: 6.12 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Yellow-green Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Dodecahedral Crystals, Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Veins in Tellurium-rich Deposits
Typical price: $100-500 per specimen

Where rockhounds find yafsoanite

Classic worldwide localities

Kenyakhskoye deposit, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal veins in tellurium-rich deposits country — that is the host setting where yafsoanite typically forms. If you start seeing tellurium, rickardite, gold in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify yafsoanite?+

Mohs hardness is 5.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, yellow-green, colorless.

Where is yafsoanite found?+

Notable localities include Kenyakhskoye deposit, Russia.

How much is yafsoanite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is yafsoanite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains tellurium, which can be toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust; handle with care and wash hands thoroughly after handling. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like yafsoanite?+

Yafsoanite is most often confused with Garnet, Tellurite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with yafsoanite?+

Yafsoanite commonly co-occurs with Tellurium, Rickardite, Gold, Fluorite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does yafsoanite form in?+

Yafsoanite typically forms in hydrothermal veins in tellurium-rich deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is yafsoanite used for?+

Yafsoanite is used in collector.

Find yafsoanite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.