Ilirneyite is a rare magnesium zinc manganese tellurite that forms interrupted earthy films. It occurs in the oxidation zone of sulfide-telluride-bearing quartz veins in cracks and cavities. It was first described from the Sentyabr'skoe gold-silver deposit, Western Chukotka, North-Eastern Region, Russia.
Is this ilirneyite?
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 ilirneyite with a known reference. Ilirneyite sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ilirneyite leaves a brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ilirneyite typically shows a adamantine to metallic to silky luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: reddish brown, dark brownish red, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: interrupted earthy films.
Often confused with
Ilirneyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Scheelite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 3-3.5); streak differs, so Ilirneyite leaves brown, Scheelite leaves white; luster reads adamantine to metallic to silky on Ilirneyite and vitreous on Scheelite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ilirneyite leaves brown, Wolframite leaves dark brown to black; luster reads adamantine to metallic to silky on Ilirneyite and submetallic to metallic on Wolframite.
Often found alongside ilirneyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ilirneyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₀.₅[ZnMn³⁺(TeO₃)₃]·4.5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 4.205 g/cm³
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Adamantine to Metallic to Silky
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Interrupted Earthy Films
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
Where rockhounds find ilirneyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ilirney Range (Russia)
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where ilirneyite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, fluorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a interrupted earthy films habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find ilirneyite on the map
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