Zemkorite is a rare sodium-calcium carbonate mineral typically found in alkaline igneous environments. It usually appears as small tabular crystals or massive grains and is highly sensitive to moisture and atmospheric exposure due to its solubility.
Is this zemkorite?
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 zemkorite with a known reference. Zemkorite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: acicular, fan shaped, tabular.
Often confused with
Zemkorite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside zemkorite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zemkorite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂Ca(CO₃)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.46 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, fan shaped, tabular
- Cleavage
- Lamellar, perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Filling fractures and as inclusions in unserpentinized but sodium metasomatized kimberlite at about 400–450 m depth
Where rockhounds find zemkorite
Classic worldwide localities
- Udachnaya pipe, Daldyn kimberlite field, Yakutiya, Russia (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Filling fractures and as inclusions in unserpentinized but sodium metasomatized kimberlite at about 400–450 m depth. If you start seeing shortite, halite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, fan shaped, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zemkorite?+
Where is zemkorite found?+
What rocks look like zemkorite?+
What minerals are found with zemkorite?+
What kind of rock does zemkorite form in?+
What is zemkorite used for?+
Find zemkorite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
