Zenzénite is a rare lead-iron-manganese antimonate mineral found primarily in the Långban mining district of Sweden. Collectors typically look for its distinct yellowish-black, tabular crystals associated with manganese oxides in metamorphic environments.
Is this zenzénite?
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 zenzénite with a known reference. Zenzénite sits at Mohs 5.7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Zenzénite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Zenzénite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Zenzénite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Zenzénite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5.7 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs, so Zenzénite leaves yellow, Mimetite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Zenzénite and resinous to subadamantine on Mimetite.
How to tell apart: Zenzénite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5.7 vs. 3); streak differs, so Zenzénite leaves yellow, Wulfenite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Zenzénite and resinous to subadamantine to adamantine on Wulfenite.
Often found alongside zenzénite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zenzénite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₃Fe₄Mn₃Sb₂O₁₈
- Mohs hardness
- 5.7
- Density
- 6.83 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Manganese Ore Deposits
Where rockhounds find zenzénite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed manganese ore deposits country, the host setting where zenzénite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, bixbyite, braunite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Is zenzénite safe to handle?+
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Find zenzénite on the map
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