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. Streak: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: euhedral 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 metallic on Zenzénite and resinous to subadamantine on Mimetite.
How to tell apart: Zenzénite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5.7 vs. 2.75-3); streak differs, so Zenzénite leaves yellow, Wulfenite leaves white; luster reads metallic on Zenzénite and resinous, 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
- Pb₃Fe₄Mn₃O₁₅
- Mohs hardness
- 5.7
- Density
- 6.83 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Euhedral crystals
- Cleavage
- {0001}, distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a carbonate-phyllosilicate skarn rock, in a metamorphosed Fe–Mn orebody
Where rockhounds find zenzénite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Värmland, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a carbonate-phyllosilicate skarn rock, in a metamorphosed Fe–Mn orebody. If you start seeing dolomite, hausmannite, jacobsite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: euhedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find zenzénite on the map
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