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

4.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous to adamantine

Streak

Light brown

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareGadalinite Group family

Gottlobite

Hardness: 4.5
Luster: Vitreous to adamantine
Streak: Light brown
Transparency: Transparent

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 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light brown.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to adamantine.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: orange, brown orange.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Datolite

Mohs 5-5.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Gottlobite leaves light brown, Datolite leaves white.

Compare →

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: 4.5
Density: 3.31 g/cm³
Colors: Orange Brown orange
Streak: Light brown
Luster: Vitreous to adamantine
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Tabular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: From hydrothermal baryte veins

Where rockhounds find gottlobite

Classic worldwide localities

Glücksstern mine, Gottlob hill, Friedrichroda, Thuringia, Germany

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: From hydrothermal baryte veins. If you start seeing hausmannite, baryte, adelite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify gottlobite?+

Mohs hardness is 4.5. Luster: vitreous to adamantine. The streak is light brown. Common colors include orange, brown orange.

Where is gottlobite found?+

Notable localities include Glücksstern mine, Gottlob hill, Friedrichroda, Thuringia, Germany.

Is gottlobite safe to handle?+

Gottlobite contains vanadium. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

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 Hausmannite, Baryte, Adelite, Wakefieldite-. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does gottlobite form in?+

Where it forms: From hydrothermal baryte veins. 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.