Native zinc is an extremely rare metallic mineral that rarely forms recognizable crystals in nature. It is typically found as small grains or masses within hydrothermal deposits and is significantly more common in its oxidized or sulfide ore forms like sphalerite.
Is this zinc?
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 zinc with a known reference. Zinc 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 and slightly grayish.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: irregular grains, platy.
Often confused with
Zinc vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside zinc
Minerals reported to co-occur with zinc. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Zn
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 6.9-7.2 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White and slightly grayish
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Irregular grains, platy
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Industrial, Collector
- Host rock
- In the oxidized zone of Pb-Zn-Ag deposits, derived from sphalerite by oxidation (Elsa mine, Canada); coatings on fibrous volcanic glass, as a volcanic sublimate (Mount Elbrus, USSR)
Where rockhounds find zinc
24 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Elsa mine, Keno Hill-Galena Hill area, Yukon Territory, Canada
- Dulcina de Lampos copper mine, near Copiapo, Chile
U.S. states with zinc
Each link opens a state-specific list of mapped rockhounding spots that produce zinc.
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the oxidized zone of Pb-Zn-Ag deposits, derived from sphalerite by oxidation (Elsa mine, Canada); coatings on fibrous volcanic glass, as a volcanic sublimate (Mount Elbrus, USSR). If you start seeing silver, sulfur, oxidized sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular grains, platy. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Nevada, Arkansas, Idaho. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find zinc on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
