Nagelschmidtite is a rare calcium silicate-phosphate mineral typically found in metamorphic environments created by the natural combustion of coal seams. It is usually found as small, non-descript grains or massive white aggregates, making it primarily a specimen for specialized mineralogical collections.
Is this nagelschmidtite?
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 nagelschmidtite with a known reference. Nagelschmidtite sits at Mohs 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: brown, colorless, yellowish white, light yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Nagelschmidtite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside nagelschmidtite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nagelschmidtite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₇(SiO₄)₂(PO₄)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.065 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains
- Cleavage
- Good on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a complex assemblage of high-temperature contact metamorphosed sedimentary rocks
Where rockhounds find nagelschmidtite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hatrurim Formation, Israel
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a complex assemblage of high-temperature contact metamorphosed sedimentary rocks. If you start seeing gehlenite, rankinite, perovskite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nagelschmidtite?+
Where is nagelschmidtite found?+
What rocks look like nagelschmidtite?+
What minerals are found with nagelschmidtite?+
What kind of rock does nagelschmidtite form in?+
What is nagelschmidtite used for?+
Find nagelschmidtite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
