Schafarzikite is a rare iron antimonate mineral that typically forms as small, red, prismatic to acicular crystals. It is most often found in hydrothermal veins associated with antimony-rich deposits and is highly sought after by mineral collectors due to its distinct color and scarcity.
Is this schafarzikite?
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 schafarzikite with a known reference. Schafarzikite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, reddish brown, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: acicular or prismatic crystals, radiating aggregates.
Often confused with
Schafarzikite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Tripuhyite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 3.5); streak differs, so Schafarzikite leaves brown, Tripuhyite leaves canary-yellow to dark brown with a greenish tinge; luster reads metallic on Schafarzikite and dull on Tripuhyite.
How to tell apart: Schafarzikite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs, so Schafarzikite leaves brown, Senarmontite leaves white; luster reads metallic on Schafarzikite and resinous to subadamantine on Senarmontite.
Often found alongside schafarzikite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schafarzikite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeSb₂O₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque, translucent in thin fragments
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or prismatic crystals, radiating aggregates
- Cleavage
- {110}, perfect; {100}, very good; {001}, trace
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In oxidized antimony-bearing hydrothermal mineral deposits
Where rockhounds find schafarzikite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pernek, near Pezinok, Slovakia
- Buca della Vena iron mine, north of Stazzema, Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy
- Lac Nicolet mine, South Ham, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In oxidized antimony-bearing hydrothermal mineral deposits. If you start seeing kermesite, valentinite, sénarmontite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular or prismatic crystals, radiating aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify schafarzikite?+
Where is schafarzikite found?+
Is schafarzikite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like schafarzikite?+
What minerals are found with schafarzikite?+
What kind of rock does schafarzikite form in?+
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Find schafarzikite on the map
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