Wülfingite is a rare zinc hydroxide mineral that typically forms as delicate, needle-like crystals or crusts in oxidized zinc deposits. It is best identified by its association with secondary zinc minerals like smithsonite and its distinct orthorhombic crystal form, often requiring microscopic examination for positive identification.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Waxy

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Wülfingite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Waxy
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this wülfingite?

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 wülfingite with a known reference. Wülfingite sits at Mohs 3, 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: waxy.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: pseudo octohedral.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Ludwigite

Mohs 5-5.5

How to tell apart: Ludwigite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Wülfingite leaves white, Ludwigite leaves black to greenish black; luster reads waxy on Wülfingite and submetallic on Ludwigite.

Often found alongside wülfingite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Zn(OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 3.05 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Waxy
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Pseudo octohedral
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A rare secondary mineral formed by weathering of zinc-bearing slag (Richelsdorf, Germany)

Where rockhounds find wülfingite

Classic worldwide localities

Milltown, near Ashover, Derbyshite, England (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral formed by weathering of zinc-bearing slag (Richelsdorf, Germany). If you start seeing simonkolleite, hydrocerussite, diaboleite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: pseudo octohedral. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify wülfingite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. Luster: waxy. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is wülfingite found?+

Notable localities include Milltown, near Ashover, Derbyshite, England (type locality).

What rocks look like wülfingite?+

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

What minerals are found with wülfingite?+

Wülfingite commonly co-occurs with Simonkolleite, Hydrocerussite, Diaboleite, Zincite, Hydrozincite, Zinc. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does wülfingite form in?+

Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral formed by weathering of zinc-bearing slag (Richelsdorf, Germany). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is wülfingite used for?+

Wülfingite is used in collector.

Find wülfingite on the map

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