Salesite is a rare zinc iodate mineral that typically forms as delicate, bladed crystals within the oxidized zones of copper-rich hydrothermal deposits. It is most frequently found in association with other rare secondary minerals in arid environments, most notably the mines of the Atacama Desert region in Chile.
Is this salesite?
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 salesite with a known reference. Salesite sits at Mohs 3-3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Salesite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Salesite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: bladed crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Salesite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Salesite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs — Salesite leaves white, Ludlockite leaves yellow-orange; luster reads vitreous on Salesite and resinous on Ludlockite.
How to tell apart: Hemimorphite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 3-3.5).
Often found alongside salesite
Minerals reported to co-occur with salesite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Zn(IO₃)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 4.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Copper Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail size specimen
Where rockhounds find salesite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chuquicamata Mine, Chile
- Bingham, New Mexico, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of copper deposits country — that is the host setting where salesite typically forms. If you start seeing cuprite, chrysocolla, dietzeite 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
How do you identify salesite?+
Where is salesite found?+
How much is salesite worth?+
What rocks look like salesite?+
What minerals are found with salesite?+
What kind of rock does salesite form in?+
What is salesite used for?+
Find salesite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
