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 — Zinkenite leaves lead-gray, Jamesonite leaves gray-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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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