Leiteite is a rare zinc arsenite mineral primarily found in the Tsumeb Mine. It forms distinct, thin, pearly platy crystals and is highly prized by advanced mineral collectors for its scarcity and delicate habit.
Is this leiteite?
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 leiteite with a known reference. Leiteite sits at Mohs 1.5-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly on the cleavage.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, brown, pearl white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Leiteite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on the cleavage on Leiteite and vitreous; pearly on cleavage surfaces on Claudetite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Leiteite leaves white, Ludlockite leaves pale brown; luster reads pearly on the cleavage on Leiteite and subadamantine on Ludlockite.
Often found alongside leiteite
Minerals reported to co-occur with leiteite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ZnAs₂O₄
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 4.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly on the cleavage
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals
- Cleavage
- {100}, perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- With other zinc- and arsenic-bearing minerals, apparently formed at low temperatures in an oxidized zone in a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit
Where rockhounds find leiteite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: With other zinc- and arsenic-bearing minerals, apparently formed at low temperatures in an oxidized zone in a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit. If you start seeing chalcocite, tennantite, reinerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify leiteite?+
Where is leiteite found?+
Is leiteite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like leiteite?+
What minerals are found with leiteite?+
What kind of rock does leiteite form in?+
What is leiteite used for?+
Find leiteite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
