Warikahnite is a rare secondary zinc arsenate mineral typically found as delicate, pale yellow bladed crystals. It is most famous from the Tsumeb Mine in Namibia where it forms in oxidized zones of ore deposits. Collectors should handle specimens with care due to their fragile nature and arsenic content.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Warikahnite

Hardness: ~2
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this warikahnite?

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 warikahnite with a known reference. Warikahnite sits at Mohs ~2, 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: colorless, honey yellow, light yellow, orange.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: acicular, radial.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Adamite

Mohs 3.5

How to tell apart: Adamite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. ~2).

How to tell apart: Legrandite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. ~2).

Compare →

Often found alongside warikahnite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Zn₃(AsO₄)₂·2H₂O
Mohs hardness: ~2
Density: 4.24 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless Honey yellow Light yellow Orange
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Acicular, radial
Cleavage: On {001}, perfect; on {100}, {010}, good
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A rare secondary mineral formed by alteration of tennantite in an oxidized zone in a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit

Where rockhounds find warikahnite

Classic worldwide localities

Tsumeb, Namibia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral formed by alteration of tennantite in an oxidized zone in a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit. If you start seeing tennantite, claudetite, ludlockite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, radial. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify warikahnite?+

Mohs hardness is ~2. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, honey yellow, light yellow, orange.

Where is warikahnite found?+

Notable localities include Tsumeb, Namibia.

Is warikahnite safe to handle?+

Warikahnite contains arsenic and calls for real care. Contains arsenic, which is toxic. Wash hands thoroughly after handling and do not ingest or inhale dust.

What rocks look like warikahnite?+

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

What minerals are found with warikahnite?+

Warikahnite commonly co-occurs with Tennantite, Claudetite, Ludlockite, Cuprian adamite, Stranskiite, Tsumcorite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does warikahnite form in?+

Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral formed by alteration of tennantite in an oxidized zone in a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is warikahnite used for?+

Warikahnite is used in collector.

Find warikahnite on the map

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