Zinczippeite is a rare secondary uranium sulfate mineral that typically forms as bright yellow crusts or efflorescences in the oxidized zones of uranium mines. It is closely related to the zippeite group and is best identified through its vivid green-yellow fluorescence under UV light and its association with other uranyl sulfate minerals.
Is this zinczippeite?
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 zinczippeite with a known reference. Zinczippeite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Zinczippeite leaves a pale yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Zinczippeite typically shows a earthy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: microcrystalline crusts, earthy aggregates, radiating needles.
Often confused with
Zinczippeite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Zinczippeite leaves pale yellow, Zippeite leaves yellow; luster reads earthy on Zinczippeite and pearly on Zippeite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Zinczippeite leaves pale yellow, Johannite leaves pale green; luster reads earthy on Zinczippeite and vitreous on Johannite.
Often found alongside zinczippeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zinczippeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Zn(UO₂)₂(SO₄)(OH)₂·~10H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Yellow
- Luster
- Earthy
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Microcrystalline Crusts, Earthy Aggregates, Radiating Needles
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Fluorescence
- Bright Yellow-green Under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Uranium-bearing Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find zinczippeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jáchymov, Czech Republic
- Happy Jack Mine, Utah, USA
- Lucky Strike Mine, Utah, USA
- Great Bear Lake, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of uranium-bearing hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where zinczippeite typically forms. If you start seeing zippeite, gypsum, meta-autunite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microcrystalline crusts, earthy aggregates, radiating needles habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find zinczippeite on the map
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