Honeaite is a rare gold thallium telluride that forms black irregular inclusions. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2015. It was first described from the Main Zone orebody, Eastern Goldfields province, Western Australia, Australia.
Is this honeaite?
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 honeaite with a known reference. Honeaite sits at Mohs 1-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Honeaite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Honeaite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: irregular inclusions.
Often confused with
Honeaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Honeaite leaves yellowish-white, Amber leaves white; luster reads metallic on Honeaite and resinous on Amber.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Honeaite leaves yellowish-white, Copal leaves white; luster reads metallic on Honeaite and resinous on Copal.
Often found alongside honeaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with honeaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Au₃TlTe₂
- Mohs hardness
- 1-2
- Density
- 11.18 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-white
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Irregular Inclusions
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Deposits
Where rockhounds find honeaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Main Zone orebody, Western Australia, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary deposits country, the host setting where honeaite typically forms. If you start seeing lignite, clay in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a irregular inclusions habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify honeaite?+
Where is honeaite found?+
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Find honeaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
