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.
Is this wülfingite?
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 wülfingite with a known reference. Wülfingite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wülfingite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wülfingite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular or prismatic crystals, radiating aggregates.
Often confused with
Wülfingite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Ludwigite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs — Wülfingite leaves white, Ludwigite leaves black; luster reads vitreous on Wülfingite and submetallic on Ludwigite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Wülfingite and pearly on Brucite.
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
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 2.47 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or Prismatic Crystals, Radiating Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Zinc Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find wülfingite
Classic worldwide localities
- Friedrichssegen mine, Germany
- Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal zinc deposits country — that is the host setting where wülfingite typically forms. If you start seeing smithsonite, aurichalcite, hemimorphite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or prismatic crystals, radiating aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find wülfingite on the map
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