Kemmlitzite is a rare phosphate-sulfate mineral that occurs as small, distinct rhombohedral crystals. It is primarily found in kaolinized rocks and is sought after by advanced collectors for its complex chemical composition and scarcity.
Is this kemmlitzite?
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 kemmlitzite with a known reference. Kemmlitzite sits at Mohs 4.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Kemmlitzite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kemmlitzite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, yellowish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals, fine-grained aggregates.
Often confused with
Kemmlitzite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Kemmlitzite leaves yellowish-white, Beudantite leaves yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Kemmlitzite leaves yellowish-white, Woodhouseite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Kemmlitzite leaves yellowish-white, Corkite leaves yellow.
Often found alongside kemmlitzite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kemmlitzite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SrCe(AsO₄)(SO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 4.0-4.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish-white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Rhombohedral Crystals, Fine-grained Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Kaolinized Porphyry
- Typical price
- $50-300 per micro-mount or small specimen
Where rockhounds find kemmlitzite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kemmlitz, Saxony, Germany
- Rabejack, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in kaolinized porphyry country — that is the host setting where kemmlitzite typically forms. If you start seeing kaolinite, quartz, anatase in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rhombohedral crystals, fine-grained aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kemmlitzite?+
Where is kemmlitzite found?+
How much is kemmlitzite worth?+
Is kemmlitzite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like kemmlitzite?+
What minerals are found with kemmlitzite?+
What kind of rock does kemmlitzite form in?+
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Find kemmlitzite on the map
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