Zincomenite is a very rare zinc selenite mineral typically found as a secondary oxidation product in selenium-rich environments. It usually appears as delicate, colorless to yellowish acicular or needle-like crystals or thin crusts associated with other rare selenide minerals.

Hardness

2-3

Mohs

Luster

Adamantine

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Zincomenite

Hardness: 2-3
Luster: Adamantine
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this zincomenite?

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 zincomenite with a known reference. Zincomenite sits at Mohs 2-3, 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: adamantine.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, efflorescent crusts.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Selenite

Mohs 2

How to tell apart: Luster reads adamantine on Zincomenite and pearly on Selenite.

Often found alongside zincomenite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: ZnSeO₃
Mohs hardness: 2-3
Density: 4.760 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Adamantine
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Acicular crystals, efflorescent crusts
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A sublimate around active fumaroles

Where rockhounds find zincomenite

Classic worldwide localities

First scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough, Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A sublimate around active fumaroles. If you start seeing sellaite, fluorite, halite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular crystals, efflorescent crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify zincomenite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-3. Luster: adamantine. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless.

Where is zincomenite found?+

Notable localities include First scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough, Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia.

Is zincomenite safe to handle?+

Zincomenite contains selenium. Contains selenium, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling specimens.

What rocks look like zincomenite?+

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

What minerals are found with zincomenite?+

Zincomenite commonly co-occurs with Sellaite, Fluorite, Halite, Anhydrite, Cotunnite, Sofiite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does zincomenite form in?+

Where it forms: A sublimate around active fumaroles. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is zincomenite used for?+

Zincomenite is used in collector.

Find zincomenite on the map

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