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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: druse, prismatic, radial.
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
- 2.86 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Druse, prismatic, radial
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Formed by hydrothermal alteration of triphyllite in a pegmatite
Where rockhounds find carlhintzeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Originally noted on a museum specimen, labelled only "Hagendorf", the matrix of which resembles that of pegmatites in the Hagendorf area, Bavaria, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Formed by hydrothermal alteration of triphyllite in a pegmatite. If you start seeing rockbridgeite, pyrite, strengite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: druse, prismatic, radial. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify carlhintzeite?+
Where is carlhintzeite found?+
What rocks look like carlhintzeite?+
What minerals are found with carlhintzeite?+
What kind of rock does carlhintzeite form in?+
What is carlhintzeite used for?+
Find carlhintzeite on the map
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