Brendelite is a rare bismuth lead iron phosphate, typically black. It is a very rare secondary mineral found on the dumps of a Bi-Co-Ni-Ag deposit. Associated minerals include eulytite, bismutite and bismutoferrite. It was first described from Güldener Falk mine, near Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany.
Is this brendelite?
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 brendelite with a known reference. Brendelite sits at Mohs 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, crystalline, euhedral crystals.
Often confused with
Brendelite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Brendelite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Brendelite leaves pale brown, Laueite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Brendelite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Brendelite leaves pale brown, Stewartite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Brendelite leaves pale brown, Phosphosiderite leaves white.
Often found alongside brendelite
Minerals reported to co-occur with brendelite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Bi,Pb)₂(Fe³⁺,Fe²⁺)O₂(OH)(PO₄)
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 6.83 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale brown
- Luster
- Vitreous to adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent to opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, crystalline, euhedral crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A very rare secondary mineral found on the dumps of a Bi–Co–Ni–Ag deposit
Where rockhounds find brendelite
Classic worldwide localities
- Güldener Falk mine, near Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A very rare secondary mineral found on the dumps of a Bi–Co–Ni–Ag deposit. If you start seeing eulytite, bismutite, bismutoferrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, crystalline, euhedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find brendelite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
