Zoharite is a rare barium potassium iron sulfide. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2017. It was first described from Halamish outcrops, Hatrurim Complex, Negev Desert, near Arad, Israel.
Is this zoharite?
4-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 zoharite with a known reference. Zoharite sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark gray.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: granular.
Often confused with
Zoharite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside zoharite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zoharite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ba,K)₆(Fe,Cu,Ni)₂₅S₂₇
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 7.5 g/cm³
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Granular
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- sedimentary
Where rockhounds find zoharite
Classic worldwide localities
- Halamish outcrops, Hatrurim Complex, Negev Desert, near Arad, Israel
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: sedimentary. If you start seeing pyrite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zoharite?+
Where is zoharite found?+
Is zoharite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like zoharite?+
What minerals are found with zoharite?+
What kind of rock does zoharite form in?+
What is zoharite used for?+
Find zoharite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
