Zinkenite is a rare lead-antimony sulfide typically found as delicate, needle-like acicular crystals or fibrous masses. It is most easily identified by its lead-gray metallic luster and its tendency to form radiating sprays, commonly found in low-temperature hydrothermal ore deposits.
Is this zinkenite?
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 zinkenite with a known reference. Zinkenite sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Zinkenite leaves a lead-gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Zinkenite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel-gray, lead-gray, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: acicular or fibrous crystals, often in parallel or radiating groups.
Often confused with
Zinkenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Zinkenite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2).
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Zinkenite leaves lead-gray, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Zinkenite leaves lead-gray, Boulangerite leaves brownish-gray.
Often found alongside zinkenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zinkenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₉Sb₂₂S₄₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 5.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- Lead-gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or Fibrous Crystals, Often in Parallel or Radiating Groups
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $20-150 for thumbnail to small cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find zinkenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wolfsberg, Germany
- Oruro, Bolivia
- Treptcha, Kosovo
- Eureka, Nevada, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where zinkenite typically forms. If you start seeing stibnite, jamesonite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or fibrous crystals, often in parallel or radiating groups habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find zinkenite on the map
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