Scheuchzerite is a rare manganese silicate mineral primarily found in manganese deposits within the Swiss Alps. It typically occurs as small, reddish-yellow-orange platy crystals or granular masses embedded in quartz-rich metamorphic assemblages.
Is this scheuchzerite?
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 scheuchzerite with a known reference. Scheuchzerite 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: yellow-orange.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Scheuchzerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Scheuchzerite leaves yellow-orange, Tuhualite leaves reddish gray.
How to tell apart: Sugilite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6.5 vs. ~2.5); streak differs, so Scheuchzerite leaves yellow-orange, Sugilite leaves white.
Often found alongside scheuchzerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with scheuchzerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaMn₉Si₉VO₂₈(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- ~2.5
- Density
- 3.50 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow-orange
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, granular aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good parallel elongation
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a metamorphosed syn-sedimentary exhalative Mn deposit
Where rockhounds find scheuchzerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Fianel Fe-Mn mine, near Ausserferrera, Ferrera valley, Graubünden, Switzerland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a metamorphosed syn-sedimentary exhalative Mn deposit. If you start seeing saneroite, tiragalloite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find scheuchzerite on the map
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