Yecoraite is an extremely rare iron-tellurite mineral known primarily from the Bambollita mine in Sonora, Mexico. It typically occurs as delicate, bright yellow fibrous or radiating needle-like crystals associated with other secondary tellurium minerals in oxidized hydrothermal veins.

Hardness

2-3

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Yellow

Transparency

Translucent

mineralraretellurite family

Yecoraite

Hardness: 2-3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Yellow
Transparency: Translucent

Is this yecoraite?

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 yecoraite with a known reference. Yecoraite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Yecoraite leaves a yellow streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Yecoraite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: fibrous aggregates.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Denningite

Mohs 3

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Yecoraite leaves yellow, Denningite leaves white.

Often found alongside yecoraite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Fe₃³⁺(TeO₃)₂(TeO₄)(OH)·n(H₂O)
Mohs hardness: 2-3
Density: 4.49 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Yellow-green
Streak: Yellow
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Fibrous Aggregates
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Oxidized Tellurium-bearing Hydrothermal Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find yecoraite

Classic worldwide localities

Yécora, Sonora, Mexico

Field-hunting tip

Look in oxidized tellurium-bearing hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where yecoraite typically forms. If you start seeing tellurite, emmonsite, quetzalcoatlite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify yecoraite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is yellow. Common colors include yellow, yellow-green.

Where is yecoraite found?+

Notable localities include Yécora, Sonora, Mexico.

How much is yecoraite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like yecoraite?+

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

What minerals are found with yecoraite?+

Yecoraite commonly co-occurs with tellurite, emmonsite, quetzalcoatlite, paratellurite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does yecoraite form in?+

Yecoraite typically forms in oxidized tellurium-bearing hydrothermal deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is yecoraite used for?+

Yecoraite is used in collector.

Find yecoraite on the map

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