Eztlite is a rare lead iron tellurium sulfate, typically brilliant red. Associated minerals include cuzticite, emmonsite and schmitterite. It was first described from Moctezuma mine, 12 km south of Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico.
Is this eztlite?
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 eztlite with a known reference. Eztlite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Eztlite leaves a orange streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Eztlite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brilliant red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, fine-grained aggregates.
Often confused with
Eztlite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Eztlite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. 2); streak differs, so Eztlite leaves orange, Tellurite leaves white; luster reads pearly on Eztlite and subadamantine on Tellurite.
How to tell apart: Eztlite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. 1); streak differs, so Eztlite leaves orange, Paratellurite leaves white; luster reads pearly on Eztlite and resinous to waxy on Paratellurite.
Often found alongside eztlite
Minerals reported to co-occur with eztlite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂Fe³⁺₃(Te⁴⁺O₃)₃(SO₄)O₂Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 4.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Orange
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Fine-grained Aggregates
- Cleavage
- {001}, Probable, Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Tellurium-bearing Deposits
Where rockhounds find eztlite
Classic worldwide localities
- Moctezuma mine, Sonora, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal tellurium-bearing deposits country, the host setting where eztlite typically forms. If you start seeing tellurite, paratellurite, mcalpineite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, fine-grained aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify eztlite?+
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Find eztlite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
