Magnolite is an exceptionally rare mercury tellurite mineral typically found as delicate, white needle-like crystals or radiating tufts. It is primarily associated with the oxidation zones of tellurium-rich ore deposits, making it a highly sought-after prize for micro-mineral collectors.
Is this magnolite?
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 magnolite with a known reference. Magnolite sits at Mohs 1.5-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Magnolite leaves a pale brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Magnolite typically shows a adamantine to silky luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, yellowish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, radiating sprays, tufts.
Often confused with
Magnolite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Emmonsite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs, so Magnolite leaves pale brown, Emmonsite leaves pale yellow; luster reads adamantine to silky on Magnolite and vitreous on Emmonsite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Magnolite leaves pale brown, Tellurite leaves white; luster reads adamantine to silky on Magnolite and subadamantine on Tellurite.
Often found alongside magnolite
Minerals reported to co-occur with magnolite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Hg₂TeO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 7.5-8.0 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Brown
- Luster
- Adamantine to Silky
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Radiating Sprays, Tufts
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Tellurium-bearing Hydrothermal Veins
Where rockhounds find magnolite
Classic worldwide localities
- Colorado, USA
- Moctezuma, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in tellurium-bearing hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where magnolite typically forms. If you start seeing tellurium, coloradoite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, radiating sprays, tufts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find magnolite on the map
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