Hodgesmithite is a rare secondary sulfate mineral that typically forms as a crust or as thin, platy crystals. It is primarily known from the oxidized zones of lead-zinc deposits, specifically found at the Broken Hill mine in Australia. Collectors usually identify it through association with other zinc-rich secondary minerals like smithsonite.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Hodgesmithite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this hodgesmithite?

4-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 hodgesmithite with a known reference. Hodgesmithite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radiating aggregates.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Serpierite

Mohs 3.5-4

How to tell apart: Serpierite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2).

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Hodgesmithite and pearly on Namuwite.

Compare →

Often found alongside hodgesmithite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: (Cu,Zn)₆Zn(SO₄)₂(OH)₁₀·3H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2
Colors: White Colorless
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, radiating aggregates
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: oxidized ore deposits

Where rockhounds find hodgesmithite

Classic worldwide localities

Block 14 Opencut, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: oxidized ore deposits. If you start seeing calcite, smithsonite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radiating aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify hodgesmithite?+

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

Where is hodgesmithite found?+

Notable localities include Block 14 Opencut, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia.

Is hodgesmithite safe to handle?+

Hodgesmithite contains copper. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like hodgesmithite?+

Hodgesmithite is most often confused with Serpierite, Devilline, Namuwite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with hodgesmithite?+

Hodgesmithite commonly co-occurs with calcite, smithsonite, gypsum, serpierite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does hodgesmithite form in?+

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

What is hodgesmithite used for?+

Hodgesmithite is used in collector.

Find hodgesmithite on the map

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