Lishizhenite is a rare hydrated sulfate mineral typically found as a secondary oxidation product in sulfide-bearing mining environments. Collectors identify it by its tabular habit and association with zinc and iron-bearing minerals in weathered mine tailings.
Is this lishizhenite?
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 lishizhenite with a known reference. Lishizhenite sits at Mohs 2-2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lishizhenite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lishizhenite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Lishizhenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside lishizhenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lishizhenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ZnFe₂(SO₄)₄·22H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 2.23 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Hydrothermal Sulfide Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find lishizhenite
Classic worldwide localities
- China
- Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of hydrothermal sulfide deposits country — that is the host setting where lishizhenite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrite, sphalerite, goethite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lishizhenite?+
Where is lishizhenite found?+
How much is lishizhenite worth?+
What rocks look like lishizhenite?+
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Find lishizhenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
