Zektzerite on Arfvedsonite Granite, Washington Pass, Okanogan County, Washington

Contributed by: Mark Cole
Date: Apr 14th, 2026
Locality: Washington Pass, Golden Horn Batholith, Okanogan County, Washington, USA (See on Mindat)

Description:
Collected by T. Menzel, zektzerite is a lithium sodium zirconium silicate - only found in a couple of places around the world. It was discovered in 1968 by a fellow named Bart Cannon, and in 1975 a gentleman from the area - Jack Zektzer - sent a sample to the Smithsonian where it was determined to be a new mineral.

Shown under SW UV - the dull red is the feldspar in the granite.

Originally posted by Mark Cole on Nature's Rainbows in 2017.

Fluorescence under shortwave UV light.

Normal light.

Summary of luminescence responses:

Feldspar (Mindat) (RRUFF)

• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Red

• Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: White