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 — that is 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?+
Where is schäferite found?+
How much is schäferite worth?+
What rocks look like schäferite?+
What minerals are found with schäferite?+
What kind of rock does schäferite form in?+
What is schäferite used for?+
Find schäferite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
