Lishizhenite is a rare hydrated sulfate mineral typically found as a secondary oxidation product in sulfide-bearing mining environments. Collectors identify it by its tabular habit and association with zinc and iron-bearing minerals in weathered mine tailings.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent if fresh

mineralrareRozenite Group family

Lishizhenite

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

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Is this lishizhenite?

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 lishizhenite with a known reference. Lishizhenite 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. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow brown, light violet.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Melanterite

Mohs 2

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

Often found alongside lishizhenite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: ZnFe₂(SO₄)₄·14H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 2.206 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow brown Light violet
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent if fresh
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, crusts
Cleavage: On {010}, nearly perfect; on {001}, poor
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In cavities and veinlets in anhydrite in the oxidation zone of a Pb–Zn deposit

Where rockhounds find lishizhenite

Classic worldwide localities

Xitieshan Pb–Zn mine, south of Mt. Qilianshan, Chaidamu, Qinghai Province, China

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In cavities and veinlets in anhydrite in the oxidation zone of a Pb–Zn deposit. If you start seeing anhydrite, römerite, copiapite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify lishizhenite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow brown, light violet.

Where is lishizhenite found?+

Notable localities include Xitieshan Pb–Zn mine, south of Mt. Qilianshan, Chaidamu, Qinghai Province, China.

What rocks look like lishizhenite?+

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

What minerals are found with lishizhenite?+

Lishizhenite commonly co-occurs with Anhydrite, Römerite, Copiapite, Sulfur, Gypsum, Pyrite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does lishizhenite form in?+

Where it forms: In cavities and veinlets in anhydrite in the oxidation zone of a Pb–Zn deposit. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is lishizhenite used for?+

Lishizhenite is used in collector.

Find lishizhenite on the map

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