Ashoverite is a very rare zinc hydroxide mineral that typically occurs as small, colorless to white, platy crystals. It is primarily found within vugs in limestone associated with hydrothermal deposits, most notably in the Ashover area of Derbyshire, England.
Is this ashoverite?
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 ashoverite with a known reference. Ashoverite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: dull to vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: platy.
Often confused with
Ashoverite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside ashoverite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ashoverite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Zn(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Fluorescence
- Bluish white under SW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In an oxidized vein in limestone (near Ashover, England)
Where rockhounds find ashoverite
Classic worldwide localities
- A limestone quarry 200–300 m northwest of Milltown, near Ashover, Derbyshire, England
- Jüliushutte, Astfeld, Harz Mountains, Germany, in slag
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In an oxidized vein in limestone (near Ashover, England). If you start seeing sweetite, wülfingite, fluorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ashoverite?+
Where is ashoverite found?+
What rocks look like ashoverite?+
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Find ashoverite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
