Evenkite is a rare organic mineral consisting of a high-molecular-weight paraffin hydrocarbon. It typically forms as soft, waxy tabular crystals or massive aggregates within cavities of sedimentary or volcanic rocks.

Hardness

1-1.5

Mohs

Luster

Greasy

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Evenkite

Hardness: 1-1.5
Luster: Greasy
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this evenkite?

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 evenkite with a known reference. Evenkite sits at Mohs 1-1.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Evenkite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Evenkite typically shows a greasy luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Ozokerite

Mohs 1

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Evenkite leaves white, Ozokerite leaves white to yellowish.

Compare →

Often found alongside evenkite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: C₂₁H₄₄
Mohs hardness: 1-1.5
Density: 0.89 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Greasy
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Sedimentary Rocks, Hydrothermal Veins
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find evenkite

Classic worldwide localities

Evenki District, Russia
Pavelka, Czech Republic
Färö Island, Denmark

Field-hunting tip

Look in sedimentary rocks, hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where evenkite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, quartz, fluorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify evenkite?+

Mohs hardness is 1-1.5. It typically shows a greasy luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, yellow.

Where is evenkite found?+

Notable localities include Evenki District, Russia; Pavelka, Czech Republic; Färö Island, Denmark.

How much is evenkite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like evenkite?+

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

What minerals are found with evenkite?+

Evenkite commonly co-occurs with Calcite, Quartz, Fluorite, Chalcedony. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does evenkite form in?+

Evenkite typically forms in sedimentary rocks, hydrothermal veins. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is evenkite used for?+

Evenkite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find evenkite on the map

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