Zincobotryogen is a rare sulfate mineral that typically forms as an oxidation product in iron-rich sulfide deposits. It is best identified by its vibrant orange prismatic crystals or crusts that often occur in association with other secondary sulfates. Because of its solubility, it is best found in arid environments or within protected underground mine workings.
Is this zincobotryogen?
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 zincobotryogen with a known reference. Zincobotryogen sits at Mohs 2-2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Zincobotryogen leaves a yellowish-orange streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Zincobotryogen typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange, reddish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic, granular, or crusts.
Often confused with
Zincobotryogen vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Zincobotryogen leaves yellowish-orange, Botryogen leaves yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Zincobotryogen leaves yellowish-orange, Copiapite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous on Zincobotryogen and pearly on Copiapite.
Often found alongside zincobotryogen
Minerals reported to co-occur with zincobotryogen. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ZnFe³⁺(SO₄)₂(OH)·7H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 2.23 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-orange
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, Granular, Or Crusts
- Cleavage
- Good On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Sulfide Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find zincobotryogen
Classic worldwide localities
- Villa Monica mine, Tuscany, Italy
- Chuquicamata, Chile
- Rio Tinto, Spain
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of sulfide ore deposits country — that is the host setting where zincobotryogen typically forms. If you start seeing jarosite, gypsum, copiapite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic, granular, or crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find zincobotryogen on the map
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