Zunyite is a rare aluminum silicate mineral highly prized by collectors for its distinct, sharp tetrahedral crystal habit. It is typically found in hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks and is often associated with other clay-like minerals in compact, small-sized specimens.
Is this zunyite?
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 zunyite with a known reference. Zunyite sits at Mohs 7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, gray white, pink, reddish white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: crystalline.
Often found alongside zunyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zunyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al₁₃Si₅O₂₀(OH,F)₁₈Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 2.874 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Crystalline
- Cleavage
- Good on {111}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In highly aluminous shales and hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks
Where rockhounds find zunyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Zuñi mine, near Silverton, San Juan Co., and in the Charter Oak mine, Ouray Co., Colorado, USA
- Silver City, Tintic district, Juab Co., Utah, USA
- Dome Rock Mountains, near Quartzsite, La Paz Co., Arizona, USA
- Postmasburg, Cape Province, South Africa
- Balıkesir, Balıkesir Province, Turkey
- Beni Embarek, Algeria
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In highly aluminous shales and hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks. If you start seeing pyrophyllite, kaolinite, alunite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crystalline. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find zunyite on the map
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