Flinteite is a rare potassium zinc halide that forms prismatic crystals. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2014. It was first described from the First scoria cone and the Arsenatnaya and Glavnaya Tenoritovaya fumaroles, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Flinteite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this flinteite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch flinteite with a known reference. Flinteite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Flinteite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Flinteite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: light green, light yellow, bright greenish yellow, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.

Often confused with

Flinteite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Malladrite

Mohs 2

How to tell apart: Flinteite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2).

How to tell apart: Flinteite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2).

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Often found alongside flinteite

Minerals reported to co-occur with flinteite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: K₂ZnCl₄
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 2.49 g/cm³
Colors: Light Green Light Yellow Bright Greenish Yellow Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Prismatic Crystals
Cleavage: Distinct in One Direction
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Fumarolic Deposits

Where rockhounds find flinteite

Classic worldwide localities

First scoria cone and the Arsenatnaya and Glavnaya Tenoritovaya fumaroles, Kamchatka, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in fumarolic deposits country, the host setting where flinteite typically forms. If you start seeing malladrite, hieratite, sulfur in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify flinteite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include light green, light yellow, bright greenish yellow, colorless.

Where is flinteite found?+

Notable localities include First scoria cone and the Arsenatnaya and Glavnaya Tenoritovaya fumaroles, Kamchatka, Russia.

What rocks look like flinteite?+

Flinteite is most often confused with Malladrite, Hieratite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with flinteite?+

Flinteite commonly co-occurs with Malladrite, Hieratite, Sulfur. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does flinteite form in?+

Flinteite typically forms in fumarolic deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is flinteite used for?+

Flinteite is used in collector.

Find flinteite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.