Brandholzite is a very rare magnesium-antimony hydroxide mineral typically found as small, fragile crystals in hydrothermal ore deposits. It is named after its type locality in Brandholz, Germany, and is primarily of interest to advanced mineralogists and systematic collectors.
Is this brandholzite?
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 brandholzite with a known reference. Brandholzite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Brandholzite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Brandholzite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: small prismatic crystals or crusts.
Often confused with
Brandholzite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Brandholzite leaves white, Stibnite leaves lead-gray; luster reads vitreous on Brandholzite and metallic on Stibnite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Brandholzite and adamantine on Senarmontite.
Often found alongside brandholzite
Minerals reported to co-occur with brandholzite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MgSb₂(OH)₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.12 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Small Prismatic Crystals or Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- n/a
Where rockhounds find brandholzite
Classic worldwide localities
- Brandholz, Germany
- St. Andreasberg, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where brandholzite typically forms. If you start seeing stibnite, quartz, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a small prismatic crystals or crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find brandholzite on the map
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