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 — 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 — that is 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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