Guarinoite is a rare secondary sulfate mineral occurring as fine, needle-like acicular crystals or radial tufts. It is primarily identified by its distinctive blue color and its association with secondary zinc minerals in weathered ore zones.

Hardness

1.5-2

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous to pearly

Streak

Pale pink

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareMixite Group family

Guarinoite

Hardness: 1.5-2
Luster: Vitreous to pearly
Streak: Pale pink
Transparency: Transparent

Is this guarinoite?

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 guarinoite with a known reference. Guarinoite sits at Mohs 1.5-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale pink.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to pearly.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: deep pink, pink.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: aggregates, hexagonal, thin.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Mixite

Mohs 3-4

How to tell apart: Mixite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-4 vs. 1.5-2).

Compare →

Often found alongside guarinoite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Zn₆SO₄(OH)₁₀·5H₂O
Mohs hardness: 1.5-2
Density: 2.80 g/cm³
Colors: Deep pinkPink
Streak: Pale pink
Luster: Vitreous to pearly
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Aggregates, hexagonal, thin
Cleavage: On {0001}, perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A secondary mineral in the oxidized portions of a polymetallic sulfide deposit

Where rockhounds find guarinoite

Classic worldwide localities

Cap Garonne mine, near le Pradet, Var, France

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A secondary mineral in the oxidized portions of a polymetallic sulfide deposit. If you start seeing anglesite, antlerite, cobaltoan-nickeloan ktenasite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, hexagonal, thin. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify guarinoite?+

Mohs hardness is 1.5-2. Luster: vitreous to pearly. The streak is pale pink. Common colors include deep pink, pink.

Where is guarinoite found?+

Notable localities include Cap Garonne mine, near le Pradet, Var, France.

Is guarinoite safe to handle?+

Contains heavy metals; wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid inhaling dust.

What rocks look like guarinoite?+

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

What minerals are found with guarinoite?+

Guarinoite commonly co-occurs with Anglesite, Antlerite, Cobaltoan-nickeloan ktenasite, Cerussite, Brochantite, Covellite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does guarinoite form in?+

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

What is guarinoite used for?+

Guarinoite is used in collector.

Find guarinoite on the map

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