Zincoberaunite is a rare secondary phosphate mineral found primarily in granitic pegmatites. It typically forms as delicate, radiating sprays or crusts of acicular pale gray to silvery white crystals associated with other phosphate minerals.
Is this zincoberaunite?
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 zincoberaunite with a known reference. Zincoberaunite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Zincoberaunite leaves a yellowish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Zincoberaunite typically shows a silky luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale gray, silvery white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: radial aggregates of acicular crystals.
Often confused with
Zincoberaunite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Zincoberaunite leaves yellowish, Beraunite leaves olive-drab when fresh; luster reads silky on Zincoberaunite and vitreous on Beraunite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Zincoberaunite leaves yellowish, Rockbridgeite leaves greenish-brown; luster reads silky on Zincoberaunite and vitreous on Rockbridgeite.
Often found alongside zincoberaunite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zincoberaunite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ZnFe₄³⁺(PO₄)₃(OH)₅·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 2.92 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Radial Aggregates of Acicular Crystals
- Cleavage
- {100}, Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Phosphate-rich Pegmatites
Where rockhounds find zincoberaunite
Classic worldwide localities
- Reichenbach, Germany
- Hagendorf, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate-rich pegmatites country, the host setting where zincoberaunite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, variscite, strengite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a radial aggregates of acicular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zincoberaunite?+
Where is zincoberaunite found?+
What rocks look like zincoberaunite?+
What minerals are found with zincoberaunite?+
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What is zincoberaunite used for?+
Find zincoberaunite on the map
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