Rajite is a rare copper tellurite mineral typically found as small, thin, bright duesbury green platy crystals. It is primarily known from the oxidized zones of the Moctezuma mine in Mexico, where it occurs alongside other rare tellurium species.
Is this rajite?
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 rajite with a known reference. Rajite 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. Rajite leaves a pale green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Rajite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bright duesbury green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Rajite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Rajite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Rajite leaves pale green, Teineite leaves pale blue; luster reads resinous on Rajite and vitreous on Teineite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Rajite leaves pale green, Quetzalcoatlite leaves pale blue, almost white; luster reads resinous on Rajite and pearly to dull on Quetzalcoatlite.
Often found alongside rajite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rajite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuTe₂O₅
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 5.75 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Green
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Tellurium-bearing Hydrothermal Ore Deposits
Where rockhounds find rajite
Classic worldwide localities
- Moctezuma mine, Sonora, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized tellurium-bearing hydrothermal ore deposits country, the host setting where rajite typically forms. If you start seeing tellurite, paratellurite, emmonsite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify rajite?+
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Find rajite on the map
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