Natanite is a rare tin-iron hydroxide mineral that typically occurs as small, sharp, dipyramidal crystals or earthy crusts in tin-bearing veins. It is often found as a secondary mineral resulting from the alteration of stannite, frequently occurring alongside cassiterite. Collectors look for its distinctive yellow-brown color andadamantine luster, though it is usually only available in micro-mounts.
Is this natanite?
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 natanite with a known reference. Natanite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Natanite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Natanite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: small dipyramidal crystals, crusts, or granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Natanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Cassiterite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 4); streak differs, so Natanite leaves yellow, Cassiterite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Natanite leaves yellow, Stannite leaves black; luster reads adamantine on Natanite and metallic on Stannite.
Often found alongside natanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with natanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeSn(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 6.14 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Small Dipyramidal Crystals, Crusts, Or Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {111}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Tin Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and provenance
Where rockhounds find natanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cornwall, England
- Ehrenfriedersdorf, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal tin deposits country, the host setting where natanite typically forms. If you start seeing cassiterite, stannite, arsenopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a small dipyramidal crystals, crusts, or granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find natanite on the map
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