Schaurteite is a very rare member of the ettringite group, occurring almost exclusively at the Tsumeb Mine in Namibia. It typically forms delicate, needle-like or prismatic crystals in oxidized zones of ore deposits and is highly prized by advanced mineral collectors for its scarcity.
Is this schaurteite?
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 schaurteite with a known reference. Schaurteite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: silky.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: silky white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: acicular, fibrous.
Often confused with
Schaurteite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads silky on Schaurteite and vitreous on Ettringite.
How to tell apart: Thaumasite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); luster reads silky on Schaurteite and vitreous to dull, greasy, silky on Thaumasite.
Often found alongside schaurteite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schaurteite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₃Ge(SO₄)₂(OH)₆·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.65 g/cm³
- Colors
- Silky white
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, fibrous
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {10-10}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral formed in the oxidized zone of a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit
Where rockhounds find schaurteite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral formed in the oxidized zone of a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit. If you start seeing germanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, fibrous. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find schaurteite on the map
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