Ekatite is a rare arsenic-bearing mineral known primarily from the Khaidarkan mercury-antimony deposit in Kyrgyzstan. It typically forms as delicate, radially arranged prismatic crystals or crusts in hydrothermal environments and requires careful handling due to its arsenic content.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Brown

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Ekatite

Hardness: ~3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Brown
Transparency: Translucent

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Is this ekatite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch ekatite with a known reference. Ekatite sits at Mohs ~3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brown.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: brownish black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: acicular, aggregates, striated.

Often confused with

Ekatite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Trippkeite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4 vs. ~3); streak differs, so Ekatite leaves brown, Trippkeite leaves pale blue.

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Often found alongside ekatite

Minerals reported to co-occur with ekatite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: (Fe,Fe,Zn)₁₂(AsO₃)₆(AsO₃,SiO₃OH)₂(OH)₆
Mohs hardness: ~3
Density: 4.061 g/cm³
Colors: Brownish black
Streak: Brown
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Acicular, aggregates, striated
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In the oxidized portion of a polymetallic sulfide mineral deposit

Where rockhounds find ekatite

Classic worldwide localities

Tsumeb, Otjikoto region, Namibia (probably from the second oxidation zone)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In the oxidized portion of a polymetallic sulfide mineral deposit. If you start seeing chalcocite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, aggregates, striated. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify ekatite?+

Mohs hardness is ~3. Luster: vitreous. The streak is brown. Common colors include brownish black.

Where is ekatite found?+

Notable localities include Tsumeb, Otjikoto region, Namibia (probably from the second oxidation zone).

Is ekatite safe to handle?+

Ekatite contains arsenic and calls for real care. Contains arsenic, a toxic element. Handle with care, wash hands after touching, and avoid creating dust when breaking or sawing samples.

What rocks look like ekatite?+

Ekatite is most often confused with Trippkeite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with ekatite?+

Ekatite commonly co-occurs with Chalcocite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does ekatite form in?+

Where it forms: In the oxidized portion of a polymetallic sulfide mineral deposit. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is ekatite used for?+

Ekatite is used in collector.

Find ekatite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.