Schäferite is a rare vanadate member of the garnet group typically found in combustion metamorphic environments. It is characterized by its small, well-formed dodecahedral yellow crystals found in the Hatrurim Formation of Israel. It is highly sought after by collectors of rare mineral species due to its restricted occurrence.
Is this schäferite?
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 schäferite with a known reference. Schäferite 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. Schäferite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Schäferite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals.
Often confused with
Schäferite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside schäferite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schäferite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂CaMg₂V₃O₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.81 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Dodecahedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Pyrometamorphic Rocks (combustion Metamorphic Rocks)
- Typical price
- $100-500 for micro-mounts or small specimens
Where rockhounds find schäferite
Classic worldwide localities
- Halamish Wadi, Israel
Field-hunting tip
Look in pyrometamorphic rocks (combustion metamorphic rocks) country, the host setting where schäferite typically forms. If you start seeing vanthoffite, thenardite, anhydrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify schäferite?+
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How much is schäferite worth?+
What rocks look like schäferite?+
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Find schäferite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
