Hemihedrite is a rare lead zinc chromate-silicate mineral prized by collectors for its vivid orange-red color and adamantine luster. It typically forms tabular, blocky crystals within oxidized zones of hydrothermal base metal deposits, often associated with other rare secondary lead minerals.
Is this hemihedrite?
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 hemihedrite with a known reference. Hemihedrite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hemihedrite leaves a orange-yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hemihedrite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange, red-orange, brownish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, blocky, sometimes as crusts.
Often confused with
Hemihedrite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hemihedrite leaves orange-yellow, Wulfenite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Hemihedrite and resinous to subadamantine to adamantine on Wulfenite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Hemihedrite and adamantine on Crocoite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Hemihedrite and adamantine on Phoenicochroite.
Often found alongside hemihedrite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hemihedrite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₁₀Zn(CrO₄)₆(SiO₄)₂(F,OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 6.4-6.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Orange-yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Blocky, Sometimes as Crusts
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Lead-zinc Ore Deposits
Where rockhounds find hemihedrite
Classic worldwide localities
- Plomosa District, Arizona, USA
- Touissit, Morocco
- Mackenzie County, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized lead-zinc ore deposits country, the host setting where hemihedrite typically forms. If you start seeing wulfenite, quartz, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, blocky, sometimes as crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find hemihedrite on the map
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