Mayingite is a rare silver-lead bismuth telluride mineral found primarily in gold-bearing hydrothermal deposits. It is typically identified through polished section microscopy due to its small grain size and metallic white color.

Hardness

3-3.5

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareSulfosalt family

Mayingite

Hardness: 3-3.5
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this mayingite?

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 mayingite with a known reference. Mayingite sits at Mohs 3-3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Mayingite leaves a black streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Mayingite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Galena

Mohs 2.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Mayingite leaves black, Galena leaves lead-gray.

Often found alongside mayingite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ag₀.₅Pb₁.₅BiTe₂
Mohs hardness: 3-3.5
Density: 8.8 g/cm³
Colors: White Gray
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Anhedral Grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Gold Deposits
Typical price: $50-200 per micro-mount

Where rockhounds find mayingite

Classic worldwide localities

Maying, Hebei Province, China

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal gold deposits country — that is the host setting where mayingite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify mayingite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-3.5. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is black. Common colors include white, gray.

Where is mayingite found?+

Notable localities include Maying, Hebei Province, China.

How much is mayingite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-200 per micro-mount. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is mayingite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains tellurium and lead; avoid inhalation of dust and handle with caution. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like mayingite?+

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

What minerals are found with mayingite?+

Mayingite commonly co-occurs with Pyrite, Chalcopyrite, Galena, Tetradymite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does mayingite form in?+

Mayingite typically forms in hydrothermal gold deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is mayingite used for?+

Mayingite is used in collector.

Find mayingite on the map

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