Kuranakhite is a rare lead-manganese tellurate mineral often found in the oxidation zones of tellurium-rich gold deposits. Collectors look for its characteristic black, submetallic prismatic crystals or radial acicular sprays within vugs of quartz or oxidized ore.
Is this kuranakhite?
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 kuranakhite with a known reference. Kuranakhite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Kuranakhite leaves a brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kuranakhite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Kuranakhite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Pyrolusite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 3.5); streak differs, so Kuranakhite leaves brown, Pyrolusite leaves black; luster reads vitreous on Kuranakhite and metallic on Pyrolusite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kuranakhite leaves brown, Manganite leaves dark reddish-brown; luster reads vitreous on Kuranakhite and submetallic on Manganite.
Often found alongside kuranakhite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kuranakhite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbMn⁴⁺Te⁶⁺O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 6.72 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Tellurium-bearing Gold Deposits
Where rockhounds find kuranakhite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kuranakh gold deposit, Yakutia, Russia
- Tombstone district, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized tellurium-bearing gold deposits country, the host setting where kuranakhite typically forms. If you start seeing tellurite, emmonsite, paratellurite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find kuranakhite on the map
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