Martyite is a rare zinc vanadate mineral typically found as vibrant orange to reddish-orange bladed crystals. It is primarily known from specific oxidized ore environments, often appearing in tight, radial clusters or drusy coatings associated with other secondary zinc minerals.
Is this martyite?
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 martyite with a known reference. Martyite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Martyite leaves a yellowish-orange streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Martyite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange, reddish-orange, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: bladed crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Martyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Martyite leaves yellowish-orange, Descloizite leaves orange to brownish-red; luster reads vitreous on Martyite and greasy to adamantine on Descloizite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Martyite leaves yellowish-orange, Mottramite leaves yellowish green; luster reads vitreous on Martyite and greasy on Mottramite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Martyite leaves yellowish-orange, Conichalcite leaves light green.
Often found alongside martyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with martyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Zn₃(V₂O₇)(OH)₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 6.08 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish-orange
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zinc-lead Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and crystal quality
Where rockhounds find martyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hidden Treasure Mine, Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zinc-lead ore deposits country — that is the host setting where martyite typically forms. If you start seeing adamite, smithsonite, goethite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find martyite on the map
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