Chiluite is a rare bismuth tellurium molybdenum oxide, typically yellow. It occurs in quartz veins in a molybdenite deposit. Associated minerals include bismuthinite, molybdenite and cassiterite. It was first described from Chilu, Fujian Province, China.
Is this chiluite?
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 chiluite with a known reference. Chiluite sits at Mohs 3.2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chiluite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chiluite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Chiluite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Emmonsite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3.2); streak differs, so Chiluite leaves yellow, Emmonsite leaves pale yellow; luster reads resinous on Chiluite and vitreous on Emmonsite.
How to tell apart: Chiluite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.2 vs. 2); streak differs, so Chiluite leaves yellow, Tellurite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Chiluite and subadamantine on Tellurite.
Often found alongside chiluite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chiluite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Bi₃Te⁶⁺Mo⁶⁺O₁₀.₅
- Mohs hardness
- 3.2
- Density
- 3.65 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Tellurium-bearing Hydrothermal Ore Deposits
Where rockhounds find chiluite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chilu, Fujian Province, China
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized tellurium-bearing hydrothermal ore deposits country, the host setting where chiluite typically forms. If you start seeing tellurite, paratellurite, emmonsite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find chiluite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
