Schlegelite is a very rare lead arsenic molybdate mineral known primarily from the historic Schneeberg mining district in Germany. It typically forms small, clear to yellow tabular crystals that are difficult to distinguish from associated species like wulfenite without chemical analysis.
Is this schlegelite?
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 schlegelite with a known reference. Schlegelite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: aggregates, spherical.
Often confused with
Schlegelite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Schlegelite leaves pale yellow, Wulfenite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Schlegelite and resinous, subadamantine to adamantine on Wulfenite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Schlegelite leaves pale yellow, Mimetite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Schlegelite and resinous to subadamantine on Mimetite.
Often found alongside schlegelite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schlegelite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Bi₇O₄(MoO₄)₂(AsO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 7.23 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, spherical
- Cleavage
- Good ∥{010} and {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- As crystal masses in vugs in quartz, formed either in an oxygenated weathering or oxygenated hydrothermal environment
Where rockhounds find schlegelite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mine dumps of the Pucher Shaft, Schneeberg District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As crystal masses in vugs in quartz, formed either in an oxygenated weathering or oxygenated hydrothermal environment. If you start seeing quartz, petitjeanite, pucherite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, spherical. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify schlegelite?+
Where is schlegelite found?+
Is schlegelite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like schlegelite?+
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Find schlegelite on the map
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