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 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Schafarzikite leaves a yellowish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Schafarzikite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, brownish-red, orange-red.
- 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 5.5 vs. 3-4); streak differs — Schafarzikite leaves yellowish, Tripuhyite leaves yellow; luster reads adamantine on Schafarzikite and sub-adamantine on Tripuhyite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Schafarzikite leaves yellowish, Senarmontite leaves white.
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
- 3-4
- Density
- 5.68 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or Prismatic Crystals, Radiating Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find schafarzikite
Classic worldwide localities
- Baia Sprie, Romania
- Pereta, Italy
- Tuscany, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where schafarzikite typically forms. If you start seeing stibnite, valentinite, senarmontite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or prismatic crystals, radiating aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify schafarzikite?+
Where is schafarzikite found?+
How much is schafarzikite worth?+
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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