Ordoñezite is a very rare zinc antimonate mineral that typically occurs as small, sharp, brown tetragonal crystals. It is most frequently found in hydrothermal vein deposits associated with tin and silver mining districts, particularly in South America. Collectors prize it for its high specific gravity and its relationship to the tapiolite mineral group.
Is this ordoñezite?
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 ordoñezite with a known reference. Ordoñezite sits at Mohs 6-6.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ordoñezite leaves a yellowish white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ordoñezite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellowish brown, brown, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic to tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Ordoñezite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside ordoñezite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ordoñezite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ZnSb₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 6-6.5
- Density
- 7.07 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Tin-silver Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find ordoñezite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pachapaqui District, Peru
- Santa Lucia Mine, Bolivia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal tin-silver veins country — that is the host setting where ordoñezite typically forms. If you start seeing cassiterite, sphalerite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic to tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ordoñezite?+
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Find ordoñezite on the map
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