Glikinite is a rare zinc oxysulfate mineral discovered in the fumarolic deposits of the Tolbachik volcano in Russia. It typically forms as thin tabular crystals or white crusts in high-temperature volcanic environments. Collectors should be aware of its extreme rarity and its occurrence primarily as a sublimation product.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Glikinite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this glikinite?

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 glikinite with a known reference. Glikinite sits at Mohs 2, 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: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside glikinite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Zn₃O(SO₄)₂
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 3.55 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, crusts
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: fumarolic deposits

Where rockhounds find glikinite

Classic worldwide localities

Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: fumarolic deposits. If you start seeing zincite, hematite, tenorite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify glikinite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless.

Where is glikinite found?+

Notable localities include Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.

Is glikinite safe to handle?+

Contains zinc, which can be toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust; handle with caution and wash hands thoroughly after contact.

What rocks look like glikinite?+

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

What minerals are found with glikinite?+

Glikinite commonly co-occurs with zincite, hematite, tenorite, lyonsite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does glikinite form in?+

Where it forms: fumarolic deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is glikinite used for?+

Glikinite is used in collector.

Find glikinite on the map

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