Gottlobite is a very rare member of the gadolinite group, discovered in the Gottlob mine in Germany. It typically appears as small brown grains associated with secondary minerals in hydrothermal veins, requiring careful microscopic study for positive identification.

Hardness

5-5.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareGadalinite Group family

Gottlobite

Hardness: 5-5.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this gottlobite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch gottlobite with a known reference. Gottlobite sits at Mohs 5-5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Gottlobite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Gottlobite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellowish-brown, brown, dark brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains.

Often confused with

Gottlobite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside gottlobite

Minerals reported to co-occur with gottlobite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: CaMg(VO₄)(OH)
Mohs hardness: 5-5.5
Density: 4.15 g/cm³
Colors: Yellowish-brown Brown Dark Brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Anhedral to Subhedral Grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Veins in Metamorphic Rocks
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find gottlobite

Classic worldwide localities

Gottlob mine, Germany

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal veins in metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where gottlobite typically forms. If you start seeing barite, calcite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral to subhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify gottlobite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-5.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellowish-brown, brown, dark brown.

Where is gottlobite found?+

Notable localities include Gottlob mine, Germany.

How much is gottlobite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like gottlobite?+

Gottlobite is most often confused with Datolite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with gottlobite?+

Gottlobite commonly co-occurs with barite, calcite, quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does gottlobite form in?+

Gottlobite typically forms in hydrothermal veins in metamorphic rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is gottlobite used for?+

Gottlobite is used in collector.

Find gottlobite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.