Carlhintzeite is a rare phosphate-fluoride mineral typically found as small, clear, tabular crystals in pegmatite deposits. It is most famous from the Hagendorf-Pleystein pegmatite in Germany, where it occurs as a secondary mineral filling cavities.
Is this carlhintzeite?
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 carlhintzeite with a known reference. Carlhintzeite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Carlhintzeite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Carlhintzeite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular to prismatic crystals, often as radial aggregates or crusts.
Often confused with
Carlhintzeite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside carlhintzeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with carlhintzeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂AlF₇·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.84 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to Prismatic Crystals, Often as Radial Aggregates or Crusts
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find carlhintzeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where carlhintzeite typically forms. If you start seeing hagendorfite, triplite, amblygonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular to prismatic crystals, often as radial aggregates or crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find carlhintzeite on the map
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