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

Mohs

Luster

Waxy

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrare

Evenkite

Hardness: 1
Luster: Waxy
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

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, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: waxy.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, yellowish green, white, yellowish white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: disseminated, 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: Luster reads waxy on Evenkite and greasy on Ozokerite.

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
Density: 0.920 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless Yellowish green White Yellowish white
Streak: White
Luster: Waxy
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Disseminated, granular
Cleavage: Good, mica-like
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific research
Host rock: An accessory mineral associated with coal; in geodes associated with a vein cutting vesicular welded tuff (Evenkia district, Russia)

Where rockhounds find evenkite

Classic worldwide localities

Evenkia district, Lower Tunguska River, Siberia, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: An accessory mineral associated with coal; in geodes associated with a vein cutting vesicular welded tuff (Evenkia district, Russia). If you start seeing chalcedony, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: disseminated, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify evenkite?+

Mohs hardness is 1. Luster: waxy. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, yellowish green, white, yellowish white.

Where is evenkite found?+

Notable localities include Evenkia district, Lower Tunguska River, Siberia, Russia.

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 Chalcedony, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does evenkite form in?+

Where it forms: An accessory mineral associated with coal; in geodes associated with a vein cutting vesicular welded tuff (Evenkia district, Russia). 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.