Edgarbaileyite is a rare mercury silicate mineral primarily found in mercury-rich hydrothermal deposits. It is known for its distinct yellow to greenish-yellow color and high density, typically appearing as small tabular crystals or crusts on host rock.
Is this edgarbaileyite?
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 edgarbaileyite with a known reference. Edgarbaileyite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Edgarbaileyite leaves a pale yellowish green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Edgarbaileyite typically shows a vitreous to resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, greenish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, sometimes as coatings.
Often confused with
Edgarbaileyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Edgarbaileyite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Edgarbaileyite leaves pale yellowish green, Eglestonite leaves yellowish-white; luster reads vitreous to resinous on Edgarbaileyite and adamantine on Eglestonite.
How to tell apart: Edgarbaileyite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 2-3); streak differs, so Edgarbaileyite leaves pale yellowish green, Kadyrelite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous to resinous on Edgarbaileyite and adamantine on Kadyrelite.
Often found alongside edgarbaileyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with edgarbaileyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Hg⁶⁺₂Si₂O₇
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 9.4 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Yellowish Green
- Luster
- Vitreous to Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Sometimes as Coatings
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Mercury Deposits
Where rockhounds find edgarbaileyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Clear Creek Mine, California, USA
- New Idria District, California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal mercury deposits country, the host setting where edgarbaileyite typically forms. If you start seeing cinnabar, quartz, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, sometimes as coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find edgarbaileyite on the map
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