Peterbaylissite is a rare mercury carbonate mineral typically found in the oxidation zones of mercury deposits. It usually forms delicate, transparent, bladed crystals and is a highly sought-after specimen for advanced mineral collectors.
Is this peterbaylissite?
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 peterbaylissite with a known reference. Peterbaylissite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Peterbaylissite leaves a dark brownish black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Peterbaylissite typically shows a submetallic to adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark red-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: bladed crystals.
Often confused with
Peterbaylissite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Calcite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); streak differs, so Peterbaylissite leaves dark brownish black, Calcite leaves white; luster reads submetallic to adamantine on Peterbaylissite and vitreous on Calcite.
How to tell apart: Aragonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); streak differs, so Peterbaylissite leaves dark brownish black, Aragonite leaves white; luster reads submetallic to adamantine on Peterbaylissite and vitreous on Aragonite.
Often found alongside peterbaylissite
Minerals reported to co-occur with peterbaylissite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Hg₃CO₃(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 7.14 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Dark Brownish Black
- Luster
- Submetallic to Adamantine
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Mercury-rich Hydrothermal Deposits
Where rockhounds find peterbaylissite
Classic worldwide localities
- Almaden Mine, Spain
- Terlingua District, Texas, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in mercury-rich hydrothermal deposits country, the host setting where peterbaylissite typically forms. If you start seeing cinnabar, calomel, terlinguaite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify peterbaylissite?+
Where is peterbaylissite found?+
Is peterbaylissite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like peterbaylissite?+
What minerals are found with peterbaylissite?+
What kind of rock does peterbaylissite form in?+
What is peterbaylissite used for?+
Find peterbaylissite on the map
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