Stergiouite is a rare zinc oxalate mineral known primarily from the historic mining district of Lavrion, Greece. It typically forms small, colorless, glassy rhombohedral crystals found encrusting old mining slags, making it a highly sought-after species for mineral collectors specializing in rare mineralogy.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Stergiouite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this stergiouite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch stergiouite with a known reference. Stergiouite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Stergiouite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Stergiouite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals.

Often confused with

Stergiouite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside stergiouite

Minerals reported to co-occur with stergiouite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Zn₂(H₂O)(C₂O₄)₂
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 3.12 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Rhombohedral Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Slag Heaps and Lead-zinc Hydrothermal Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find stergiouite

Classic worldwide localities

Lavrion District, Greece

Field-hunting tip

Look in slag heaps and lead-zinc hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where stergiouite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, sphalerite, smithsonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rhombohedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify stergiouite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is stergiouite found?+

Notable localities include Lavrion District, Greece.

How much is stergiouite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like stergiouite?+

Stergiouite is most often confused with Whewellite, Weddellite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with stergiouite?+

Stergiouite commonly co-occurs with Galena, Sphalerite, Smithsonite, Aurichalcite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does stergiouite form in?+

Stergiouite typically forms in slag heaps and lead-zinc hydrothermal deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is stergiouite used for?+

Stergiouite is used in collector.

Find stergiouite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.