Schlossmacherite is a rare secondary sulfate-arsenate mineral usually found in oxidized ore deposits. Collectors typically look for its characteristic yellowish crusts or earthy masses on rock surfaces, often associated with other rare oxidation zone minerals.
Is this schlossmacherite?
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 schlossmacherite with a known reference. Schlossmacherite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Schlossmacherite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Schlossmacherite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-green, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: crusts, aggregates, earthy masses.
Often confused with
Schlossmacherite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Schlossmacherite leaves white, Jarosite leaves yellow; luster reads dull on Schlossmacherite and vitreous on Jarosite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Schlossmacherite leaves white, Beudantite leaves yellow; luster reads dull on Schlossmacherite and vitreous on Beudantite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads dull on Schlossmacherite and vitreous on Alunite.
Often found alongside schlossmacherite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schlossmacherite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (H₃O,K)Al₃(SO₄,AsO₄)₂(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 3.17 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, Aggregates, Earthy Masses
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find schlossmacherite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cap Garonne Mine (France)
- Gold Hill Mine (Utah, USA)
- Wittichen (Germany)
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where schlossmacherite typically forms. If you start seeing jarosite, beudantite, goethite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a crusts, aggregates, earthy masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find schlossmacherite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
