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, 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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