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 — Natanite leaves yellow, Cassiterite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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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