Fraipontite is a rare zinc-rich member of the serpentine group typically found in the oxidation zones of zinc-bearing ore bodies. It usually occurs as delicate, platy, or earthy masses, often displaying a soft pearly luster that distinguishes it from common smithsonite.
Is this fraipontite?
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 fraipontite with a known reference. Fraipontite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fraipontite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fraipontite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, pale yellow, green, blue-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy, earthy, massive.
Often confused with
Fraipontite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Fraipontite and vitreous on Chrysocolla.
How to tell apart: Smithsonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-4.5 vs. 2-3); luster reads pearly on Fraipontite and vitreous on Smithsonite.
How to tell apart: Hemimorphite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 2-3); luster reads pearly on Fraipontite and vitreous on Hemimorphite.
Often found alongside fraipontite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fraipontite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Zn,Al)₃(Si,Al)₂O₅(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 2.8-3.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy, Earthy, Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Zinc Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 for micro to thumbnail specimens
Where rockhounds find fraipontite
Classic worldwide localities
- Fraipont, Belgium
- Mapimi, Mexico
- Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of zinc deposits country — that is the host setting where fraipontite typically forms. If you start seeing smithsonite, willemite, hemimorphite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy, earthy, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find fraipontite on the map
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