Native zinc is an extremely rare metallic mineral that typically occurs as small irregular grains or thin layers within secondary oxidation zones. It often tarnishes to a dull grey or black and can be identified by its distinctive density and metallic luster. Pristine specimens are highly prized by collectors due to the mineral's chemical volatility in surface environments.
Is this native zinc?
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 native zinc with a known reference. Native Zinc sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Native Zinc leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Native Zinc typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silver-white, gray, bluish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: rarely crystalline, usually massive, grains, or irregular plates.
Often confused with
Native Zinc vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside native zinc
Minerals reported to co-occur with native zinc. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Zn
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 7.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Rarely Crystalline, Usually Massive, Grains, Or Irregular Plates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins and Secondary Oxidation Zones
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality and rarity
Where rockhounds find native zinc
Classic worldwide localities
- Russia
- Sweden
- Australia
- USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins and secondary oxidation zones country — that is the host setting where native zinc typically forms. If you start seeing sphalerite, galena, willemite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rarely crystalline, usually massive, grains, or irregular plates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find native zinc on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
