Schindlerite is a rare secondary vanadium mineral typically found in sedimentary uranium-vanadium deposits in the Colorado Plateau. It is usually identified by its distinctive yellow-orange tabular crystals and strong association with other vanadium-bearing minerals in sandstones.
Is this schindlerite?
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 schindlerite with a known reference. Schindlerite sits at Mohs ~2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: subadamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates.
Often confused with
Schindlerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Schindlerite leaves yellow, Carnotite leaves strontian-yellow; luster reads subadamantine on Schindlerite and dull, earthy; silky when crystalline on Carnotite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Schindlerite leaves yellow, Tyuyamunite leaves light yellow; luster reads subadamantine on Schindlerite and adamantine, pearly on {001}, may be dull to waxy if massive on Tyuyamunite.
Often found alongside schindlerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schindlerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (NH₄)₄Na₂[V₁₀O₂₈]·10H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~2
- Density
- 2.461 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Subadamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- sedimentary sandstone
Where rockhounds find schindlerite
Classic worldwide localities
- St. Jude mine, Slick Rock district, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: sedimentary sandstone. If you start seeing calciodelrioite, gypsum, huemulite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find schindlerite on the map
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