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. Streak: pale yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: earthy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, orange, reddish brown.
- 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, so Zinczippeite leaves pale yellow, Zippeite leaves yellow white; luster reads earthy on Zinczippeite and vitreous on Zippeite.
How to tell apart: 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
- Streak
- Pale yellow
- Luster
- Earthy
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- 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
- In quartzose ore containing uraninite and disseminated sulfides
Where rockhounds find zinczippeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hillside mine, about 5.5 km north of Bagdad, Eureka district, Yavapai Co., Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In quartzose ore containing uraninite and disseminated sulfides. If you start seeing sodium-zippeite, johannite, schröckingerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microcrystalline crusts, earthy aggregates, radiating needles. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Where is zinczippeite found?+
Is zinczippeite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like zinczippeite?+
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Find zinczippeite on the map
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