Smithsonite is highly prized by collectors for its distinctive rounded, botryoidal habits and vibrant pastel colors. It typically forms in the oxidation zones of zinc-bearing ore bodies, often appearing in crusts or stalactitic formations.
Is this smithsonite?
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 smithsonite with a known reference. Smithsonite sits at Mohs 4-4.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Smithsonite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Smithsonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, gray, green, blue, yellow, pink, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: botryoidal.
Often confused with
Smithsonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside smithsonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with smithsonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ZnCO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 4-4.5
- Density
- 4.3-4.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal
- Cleavage
- Perfect Rhombohedral
- Fluorescence
- Often Fluorescent Under SW UV
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Ore
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zinc Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-100 thumbnail, $200-2000 cabinet specimen
Where rockhounds find smithsonite
35 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Kelly Mine, New Mexico, USA
- Broken Hill, Australia
- Lavrion, Greece
- Sardinia, Italy
U.S. states with smithsonite
Each link opens a state-specific list of mapped rockhounding spots that produce smithsonite.
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zinc deposits country — that is the host setting where smithsonite typically forms. If you start seeing hemimorphite, calcite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a botryoidal habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Missouri, Wisconsin, Tennessee — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify smithsonite?+
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Find smithsonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
