Zektzerite is a rare lithium sodium zirconium silicate typically found in miarolitic cavities within alkaline rocks. It most commonly appears as colorless or pale pinkish tabular crystals that may be confused with quartz, but its specific density and chemical composition distinguish it.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous, pearly on {100}

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Zektzerite

Hardness: ~6
Luster: Vitreous, pearly on {100}
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this zektzerite?

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 zektzerite with a known reference. Zektzerite sits at Mohs ~6, 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, pearly on {100}.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, pink.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, striated crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Quartz

Mohs 7

How to tell apart: Quartz is the harder of the two (Mohs 7 vs. ~6).

How to tell apart: Zircon is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5 vs. ~6).

Compare →

Often found alongside zektzerite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: LiNaZrSi₆O₁₅
Mohs hardness: ~6
Density: 2.79 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless Pink
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous, pearly on {100}
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, striated crystals
Cleavage: {100} and {010}, perfect
Fluorescence: Light yellow under SW UV
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Rarely in miarolitic cavities in a riebeckite granite (Washington Pass, Washington, USA)

Where rockhounds find zektzerite

Classic worldwide localities

Kangaroo Ridge, near Washington Pass, Okanogan Co., Washington, USA
Dara-i-Pioz massif, Alai Range, Tien Shan, Tajikistan

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Rarely in miarolitic cavities in a riebeckite granite (Washington Pass, Washington, USA). If you start seeing quartz, microcline, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, striated crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify zektzerite?+

Mohs hardness is ~6. Luster: vitreous, pearly on {100}. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, pink.

Where is zektzerite found?+

Notable localities include Kangaroo Ridge, near Washington Pass, Okanogan Co., Washington, USA; Dara-i-Pioz massif, Alai Range, Tien Shan, Tajikistan.

What rocks look like zektzerite?+

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

What minerals are found with zektzerite?+

Zektzerite commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Microcline, Aegirine, Riebeckite, Astrophyllite, Zircon. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does zektzerite form in?+

Where it forms: Rarely in miarolitic cavities in a riebeckite granite (Washington Pass, Washington, USA). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is zektzerite used for?+

Zektzerite is used in collector.

Find zektzerite on the map

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