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, so Schafarzikite leaves yellowish, Tripuhyite leaves yellow; luster reads adamantine on Schafarzikite and sub-adamantine on Tripuhyite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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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