Vismirnovite is an extremely rare zinc-tin hydroxide mineral typically found as small, vibrant yellow octahedral crystals in oxidized ore zones. It is most commonly identified in association with other tin-bearing minerals in hydrothermal environments.

Hardness

3.9

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrareZinc-Stannate Group family

Vismirnovite

Hardness: 3.9
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Semitransparent

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Is this vismirnovite?

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 vismirnovite with a known reference. Vismirnovite sits at Mohs 3.9, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: light yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Mushistonite

Mohs 4-4.4

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Vismirnovite leaves white, Mushistonite leaves pale greenish.

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Often found alongside vismirnovite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: ZnSn(OH)₆
Mohs hardness: 3.9
Density: 4.073 g/cm³
Colors: Light yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Octahedral crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Formed by oxidation of earlier tin sulfides in tin deposits

Where rockhounds find vismirnovite

Classic worldwide localities

Trudovoye tin deposit, Inyl’chek Mountains, eastern Kyrgyzstan
Mushiston tin deposit, Kaznok Valley, Zeravshan Mountains, 35 km south of Pendzhikent, Tajikistan

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Formed by oxidation of earlier tin sulfides in tin deposits. If you start seeing stannite, natanite, malachite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: octahedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify vismirnovite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.9. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include light yellow.

Where is vismirnovite found?+

Notable localities include Trudovoye tin deposit, Inyl’chek Mountains, eastern Kyrgyzstan; Mushiston tin deposit, Kaznok Valley, Zeravshan Mountains, 35 km south of Pendzhikent, Tajikistan.

What rocks look like vismirnovite?+

Vismirnovite is most often confused with Mushistonite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with vismirnovite?+

Vismirnovite commonly co-occurs with Stannite, Natanite, Malachite, Azurite, Goethite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does vismirnovite form in?+

Where it forms: Formed by oxidation of earlier tin sulfides in tin deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is vismirnovite used for?+

Vismirnovite is used in collector.

Find vismirnovite on the map

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