Schallerite is an uncommon manganese arsenosilicate primarily found in the unique zinc-manganese orebodies of New Jersey. It typically occurs as brownish, tabular crystals or massive aggregates within metamorphic limestone environments.
Is this schallerite?
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 schallerite with a known reference. Schallerite sits at Mohs ~5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: waxy; pearly on the basal cleavage.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: light brown, reddish brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Schallerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Schallerite leaves light brown, Friedelite leaves pale rose; luster reads waxy; pearly on the basal cleavage on Schallerite and vitreous, pearly on basal plane on Friedelite.
How to tell apart: Schallerite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Schallerite leaves light brown, Mcgovernite leaves brown; luster reads waxy; pearly on the basal cleavage on Schallerite and pearly on Mcgovernite.
Often found alongside schallerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schallerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn₁₆As₃Si₁₂O₃₆(OH)₁₇
- Mohs hardness
- ~5
- Density
- 3.339-3.368 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light brown
- Luster
- Waxy; pearly on the basal cleavage
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- {0001}, perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In banded willemite-franklinite ore or rhodonite, from a metamorphosed stratiform zinc deposit (Franklin, New Jersey, USA)
Where rockhounds find schallerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Franklin, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
- Ködnitz Valley, Tirol, Austria
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In banded willemite-franklinite ore or rhodonite, from a metamorphosed stratiform zinc deposit (Franklin, New Jersey, USA). If you start seeing willemite, franklinite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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What rocks look like schallerite?+
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Find schallerite on the map
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