Reinerite is a rare zinc arsenite mineral known almost exclusively from the Tsumeb Mine in Namibia. Collectors prize its vibrant, translucent green prismatic crystals, which are typically found associated with other secondary ore minerals in the oxidized zones of the deposit.
Is this reinerite?
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 reinerite with a known reference. Reinerite sits at Mohs 5-5.5, 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: vitreous to adamantine on fracture surfaces.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, light yellow green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic to acicular crystals, often as crusts or granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Reinerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside reinerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with reinerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Zn₃(AsO₃)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 4.270 g/cm³
- Colors
- BlueLight yellow green
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to adamantine on fracture surfaces
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to acicular crystals, often as crusts or granular aggregates
- Cleavage
- On {110}, {011}, {111}, good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Extremely rare in a deep oxidation zone in a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit
Where rockhounds find reinerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Extremely rare in a deep oxidation zone in a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit. If you start seeing chalcocite, bornite, willemite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic to acicular crystals, often as crusts or granular aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify reinerite?+
Where is reinerite found?+
Is reinerite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like reinerite?+
What minerals are found with reinerite?+
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What is reinerite used for?+
Find reinerite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
