Schieffelinite is a rare lead tellurite mineral discovered in the Tombstone district of Arizona. It typically occurs as delicate, yellow, foliated, or tabular crystals in the oxidation zones of tellurium-bearing ore deposits.
Is this schieffelinite?
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 schieffelinite with a known reference. Schieffelinite 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. Schieffelinite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Schieffelinite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular, foliated aggregates.
Often confused with
Schieffelinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Emmonsite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Schieffelinite leaves yellow, Emmonsite leaves pale yellow; luster reads resinous on Schieffelinite and vitreous on Emmonsite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads resinous on Schieffelinite and vitreous on Quetzalcoatlite.
Often found alongside schieffelinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schieffelinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₁₀Te₆O₂₀(OH)₄·5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 5.68 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular, Foliated Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 thumbnail size
Where rockhounds find schieffelinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tombstone District, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal deposits country, the host setting where schieffelinite typically forms. If you start seeing cerussite, anglesite, rodalquilarite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular, foliated aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find schieffelinite on the map
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